Knife-Wielding Man Charges Officer in Crowded Seaside Park Before Fatal Shot Is Fired, Video Shows

A police call about a man allegedly chasing a woman turned deadly in a crowded California seaside park after an unrelated man armed with a knife charged at an officer, newly released body-camera footage shows.

The confrontation took place Aug. 22 near the Broadway stairs, where Santa Monica police officers were responding to reports of a man pursuing a woman, according to a critical incident briefing released by the department.

The man who was fatally shot was identified by the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner as 44-year-old Michael Rodriguez.

At about 12:30 p.m., two uniformed officers arrived at Broadway and Ocean Avenue and began speaking with witnesses near the 1400 block of Palisades Park.

The oceanfront park was busy with pedestrians, tourists and vendors that Saturday afternoon. During the response, officers saw Rodriguez—who police said was not connected to the original call—holding a large knife over his head and moving toward an officer and nearby bystanders.

“Hey, put that down,” the officer repeatedly shouted on the video as he drew his gun and stepped backward from Rodriguez.

“Put it down. Put that down,” the officer continued ordering.

Rodriguez did not comply and continued forward with the knife raised, police said. He then accelerated, rapidly narrowing the gap as the officer retreated.

The officer fired a single round from his department-issued weapon, striking Rodriguez in the chest.

Bodycam video from the second officer shows Rodriguez falling to the ground as the knife drops from his hand.

The officers immediately called for backup and requested emergency medical personnel.

“Officer needs help,” one officer can be heard saying before asking witnesses to remain at the scene.

As police approached Rodriguez and checked him for additional weapons, an officer discovered a second knife in his right pants pocket. Officers also spotted the handle of a third knife sticking out of his backpack, police said.

Investigators described the knife carried during the confrontation as a large, fixed-blade “fighting and utility style” weapon with a clip-point blade, protective hand guard, metal grip and serrations along part of its spine.

Officers immediately began treating Rodriguez, applying gauze and a chest seal to his wound before performing chest compressions.

“Come on, you need to breathe,” an officer can be heard pleading as police continued their lifesaving efforts.

Santa Monica Fire Department personnel later took over medical care and transported Rodriguez to a local hospital. He was pronounced dead in the emergency room at approximately 1:49 p.m.

Rodriguez died from a gunshot wound to the chest, according to the medical examiner, who ruled his death a homicide. The case remains open, according to agency records.

No officers, bystanders or other members of the public were injured.

“Any loss of life is tragic, and we recognize the impact on the family, our officers and our community,” Santa Monica Police Chief Darrick Jacob said.

“Our officers face difficult and dangerous situations every day,” Jacob continued. “When a life is lost during a police encounter, our responsibility to provide a clear and open account is especially important. Releasing this video is an important step in providing that account to our community.”

The Santa Monica Police Department said detectives are conducting a criminal investigation into the shooting. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office will separately review the officer’s use of deadly force, while the police department conducts an internal administrative investigation.

Authorities cautioned that the bodycam video and accompanying briefing reflect preliminary evidence and do not represent final findings or conclusions.