Santa Monica gunman who shot cop also wanted for Waymo shooting that injured 2 teens

The armed suspect who shot a Santa Monica Police Department officer Wednesday afternoon is also believed to be connected to the shooting of two teens who were riding in a driverless taxi over the weekend, the city’s mayor says.

The search for that suspect is currently ongoing.

Police said Wednesday’s shooting happened near the Santa Monica Place outdoor shopping center at the intersection of 4th Street and Colorado Avenue.

Officers were attempting to bring the suspect into custody for his possible role in the Sunday night shooting of a Waymo taxi in Santa Monica that injured two juvenile riders.

At some point, the suspect opened fire and an officer was hit in the hand, according to Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete.

That officer was transported to a local hospital for treatment of those injuries.

As of 3:40 p.m., the gunman has not been located, and officers and police dogs are combing through city streets in search of him.

Images shared by the Police Department show the suspect, described as a Black man in his 30s, who was last seen wearing a dark-colored jacket and black pants.

He is considered armed and dangerous, and the public is being told not to approach him. Instead, police are urging the public to remain vigilant and report any sightings to 911.

While an active search is currently underway, the mall itself has been cleared and orders to shelter have been lifted in the downtown area.

Santa Monica police promised to update the public on the status of the search on its official social media channels.

“We appreciate the community’s patience and cooperation as we work to ensure the safety of everyone involved,” police said.

The two teens injured in Sunday’s shooting were last listed in stable condition, officials said.

Check back for updates on this developing story.

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