On January 17, 2021 at about 9:07 p.m., officers from the Santa Monica Police Department responded to an unknown trouble call at The Gateway Hotel (1920 Santa Monica Blvd). Details of the call indicated a couple ran into the hotel trying to seek shelter; while, claiming they were being chased by an unknown male subject. Responding officers quickly arrived on scene and came across the male that had armed himself with a kitchen-style knife, while standing in an aggressive manner.
The subject, later identified as Damien Dontae Emory, a 29-year-old black male from Gordon Ga., appeared unstable and refused several police commands to drop the knife. Officers attempted several de-escalation techniques; however, the suspect continued to ignore their commands and attempted to move away from them placing other bystanders at great risk.
At this point officers attempted multiple less-lethal options which subsequently caused Emory to fall to the ground, allowing officers to take him into custody without further incident. Emory was initially treated on scene by the Santa Monica Fire Department Paramedics, then transported to a local hospital where he was treated and discharged. Emory was issued a citation for Brandishing a Deadly Weapon – 417 P.C.; Resisting, Delaying, or Obstructing Arrest - 148 PC; and later transported to a nearby hospital for a psychiatric evaluation.
Submitted by Rudy Flores, Lieutenan
