The Santa Monica Police Department has released the above photo of the man suspected of shooting an 18-year-old female just after 5 p.m. Saturday at the intersection of 18th Street and Pico Boulevard in Santa Monica.
Waiverly Thomas, 31, of Colton has been charged with attempted murder for allegedly opening fire with a handgun at the victim.
SMPD Sgt. Richard Lewis told The Mirror the victim was working a car wash fundraiser at Wicc Christian Bookstore at 1827 Pico Boulevard when for unknown reasons, she ran from the parking lot and onto Pico Boulevard, where she flagged down a vehicle driving westbound.
Immediately after getting inside the car and telling the occupants she needed to quickly leave the area, its is alleged that Thomas emerged from the sidewalk and sprayed multiple rounds into the vehicle, several striking the female victim, Lewis said.
The car with the wounded victim then sped off to safety, stopping at Lincoln and Pico where paramedics from the Santa Monica Fire Department responded to treat the woman and transported her to an area hospital, Lewis said.
Lewis said a perimeter around the 1800 block of Pico Boulevard was established and approximately one hour later, Thomas attempted to drive outside of the perimeter westbound on Delaware Avenue at 16th Street when he was stopped. He was arrested and a handgun believed to be used in the crime was also recovered.
Lewis said the female victim is expected to recover. No one else was injured during the incident.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Daniel Larios at 310.458.8937 or Sergeant Ira Rutan at 310.458.8959 or, the Santa Monica Police Department (24 hours) at 310.458.8495.
