The Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) has released the body camera footage from the officer who was stabbed in an unprovoked attack on October 5, 2024, right outside the police station at 4th Street and Olympic Blvd.
In a statement, the SMPD said, “The use of force by law enforcement personnel is a matter of critical concern, both to the public and to the law enforcement community. Every day, officers are involved in rapidly evolving interactions with members of the public and, when warranted, use reasonable force in carrying out their duties.
“This is especially true with respect to officers safeguarding the community and themselves from attacks and overcoming resistance while engaged in the performance of law enforcement duties. Officers and their supervisors are responsible for understanding their authority and its limitations and appreciating the serious consequences of every use of force,” the statement said.
Current California law requires police departments to release video and audio recordings of a critical incident within 45 days of the occurrence.
In the same statement, SMPD said it understands that building and maintaining trust between the police department and the community requires openness and transparency in all matters, especially the use of deadly force by a police officer.
“On October 5, 2024, a Santa Monica police officer was involved in a fatal Officer Involved Shooting (OIS) with an armed subject in front of the police station. To abide by state law and, most importantly, to ensure our community is engaged, the SMPD has created a Critical Incident Community Debriefing Video to provide insight into and context for the OIS,” the statement said.
The video combines footage from several sources including security cameras and officer body cameras. It shows Deyaa Abdelhadi Halaibeh entering the Target store in Downtown Santa Monica and assaulting an employee to steal a knife set. It then shows Halaibeh approach the police station and use the call button to request an officer.
When an officer exits the building on an unrelated call, Halaibeh stops him to talk. During the brief conversation, Halaibeh keeps one hand inside his jacket pocket and when the officer says he feels nervous about the situation, Halaibeh draws the knife and lunges at the officer.
The officer flees around the corner and footage shows Halaibeh give chase before attacking again in an attempt to wrest control of the officer’s now drawn gun. The gun discharges and as the officer backs away, Halaibeh retrieves the knife and advances on the officer who fires several more times hitting Halaibeh.
Several officers can be seen rendering medical aid but Halaibeh died from his wounds.
According to the video, the incident is the subject of two investigations, one by the County District Attorney’s office and the other from SMPD’s internal affairs unit.
The police department said Halaibeh, 28, is originally from New York State and had been in the area for about a week. SMPD said his housing status is currently unknown but he has no criminal history in California and no prior contacts with the Santa Monica Police Department.
scott.snowden@smdp.com
