Robbery Suspect Killed Following Knife Attack on Santa Monica Officer

On Saturday, October 5, 2024, at approximately 5:16 p.m., a SMPD Downtown Services Unit officer was flagged down by store security about a robbery that just occurred. An employee of the store was pushed to the ground and a box of kitchen knives taken by a male subject who fled the area. The box was later found abandoned with one 8” chef’s knife missing. The subject was later confirmed as 28-year-old Deyaa Abdelhadi Halaibeh, a resident of New York State. An officer from the Santa Monica Police Department was on foot at the front of the police station to collect information from a resident about an unrelated call when he was confronted by Halaibeh, at the front doors of the station.

An officer explained to Halaibeh that he needed to wait while he spoke with the other party. Without warning, Halaibeh attacked the officer while pulling the knife from his clothing. Halaibeh slashed and stabbed the officer. The officer immediately moved away and armed himself with his duty weapon. Halaibeh followed the officer continuing the knife attack as the wounded officer retreated around the corner of the building where the officer involved shooting occurred. Santa Monica officers rendered medical aid to Halaibeh until Santa Monica Fire Department took over life support efforts. Halaibeh was pronounced dead at the scene. The officer who was stabbed needed medical attention and spent one night in a hospital before being released. He's expected to make a full recovery.