SANTA MONICA, CA — The Los Angeles County medical examiner's office Saturday identified a man shot by a Santa Monica police officer a week ago when he allegedly charged at officers with a knife in Palisades Park.
The shooting occurred at 12:49 p.m. Aug. 22 in the 1400 block of Ocean Avenue, according to the Santa Monica Police Department. The area is between Broadway and Santa Monica Boulevard, across from The Georgian Hotel.
Michael Rodriguez, 44, died in a hospital emergency room of a gunshot wound to the chest, the medical examiner's office said.
Officers had initially responded to a report of domestic violence, police said.
"While officers were interviewing witnesses, an unrelated individual armed with a knife charged at the officers," according to a police statement. "An officer discharged their firearm, striking the individual."
Santa Monica Fire Department paramedics treated the wounded man at the scene before taking him to a hospital, police said. The involved officer was not hurt.
A "rather large knife" was recovered at the scene, Santa Monica Police Chief Darrick Jacob told reporters during a briefing. The officer fired a single shot.
There were indications that the man may have been homeless, Jacob said. His city of residence was not released by the medical examiner's office.
The Ocean Avenue-adjacent park, which stretches over a mile and a half north from the pier, is home to many transients.
— City News Service
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