According to the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD), on October 30th, 2023, at approximately 6:30 p.m. officers were dispatched to the 300 block of Santa Monica Boulevard. The reports state that the suspect, later identified as 45-year-old Luke Wind, was seen making homophobic comments and violent threats toward two male victims, who were in a relationship.
When the victim began recording the encounter on his cell phone, Wind threw a metal water bottle at the victim’s head, grazing his left ear. Wind fled the scene but was later arrested by SMPD officers for assault with a deadly weapon and hate crime.
In an unrelated incident on November 4, 2023 at approximately 9:04 a.m. officers responded to the 400 block of Ocean Avenue. According to the reporting party, an individual was observed shouting racial slurs at the victim while brandishing a shiny object.
Officers later detained an individual matching the victim’s description of the suspect. After the victim positively identified the suspect, officers arrested 26-year-old Kelemn Gonzalez for hate crime and transported him to the Santa Monica jail for booking.
matt@smdp.com
