Main Street Murder Suspect Pleads Not Guilty

SANTA MONICA, CA – Murder and other charges were filed Tuesday against an ex-con who allegedly gunned down a man in Santa Monica before getting into a shootout with police. Christopher Charles Davis, 46, pled not guilty to one count each of murder, assault on a peace officer with a semiautomatic firearm, and possession of a firearm by a felon, along with two counts of attempted murder of a peace officer.

In 1992, Davis was convicted of armed robbery in Wisconsin, according to a criminal complaint.

On August 4 around 6:30 p.m., SMPD received numerous 911 calls regarding a possible shooting with a victim down in the area near Main Street and Strand Avenue. When officers arrived at the scene they located a male victim on the ground, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was treated by Santa Monica Fire Department Paramedics and transported to a local hospital for treatment, but died shortly after arriving at the hospital.

Officers saw the suspect holding a handgun around 3rd Street and Hollister Avenue, and the suspect pointed the weapon at officers. When additional officers arrived and confronted the suspect, it led to an exchange of gunfire, according to the press release.

Davis was injured and brought to a local hospital for treatment.

Image via Shutterstock