16-year-old surrenders following lethal altercation along Pacific Coast Highway.
Authorities placed a 16-year-old Las Vegas teenager in custody on Tuesday evening after he surrendered to detectives investigating a fatal beachside shooting along Pacific Coast Highway, police announced.
The suspect turned himself in on July 21 following the late-night killing of an adult male in Parking Lot 1 North, located at 1550 Pacific Coast Highway. Due to the suspect’s age, police are withholding his identity and additional personal details.
Officers with the Santa Monica Police Department initially responded to reports of gunfire around 12:32 a.m. on July 20. Upon arriving at the scene, emergency personnel found the victim suffering from several gunshot wounds and attempted life-saving measures; however, the man died at the location.
“Violence of any kind has no place in our community,” said Santa Monica Police Chief Darrick Jacob in a press statement. “While nothing can replace the life that was lost, the swift and focused work of our detectives resulted in the suspect being safely taken into custody. This is an important step, but our work is not finished. Our beachfront is one of Santa Monica’s most heavily visited public spaces, and we remain committed to keeping it safe for residents, visitors, businesses, and everyone who comes to enjoy our community.”
Detectives determined through early witness statements that a physical fight broke out between two groups just moments before bullets were fired. Investigations quickly led officers to identify the Nevada youth as the primary suspect, prompting his surrender the next day.
Investigators are continuing to piece together the events surrounding the violence and ask anyone with relevant information or eyewitness footage to call the Santa Monica Police Department at 310-458-8491.
