Editor's Note: The location of the bathroom in our initial story was incorrect. The stabbing occurred near the intersection of Bicknell Ave. and Ocean Front Walk, to the south of the hotels.
An altercation between two homeless individuals left one man dead following a daylight stabbing on the beach.
According to the Santa Monica Police Department, officers responded to a call for an assault with a deadly weapon at about 2:07 p.m. on Monday, July 31, in the 2000 block of the beach.
Upon arrival, they found an as yet unidentified victim on the east side of the beach restrooms south of two luxury hotels and a residential apartment building. The 27-year-old man was unconscious on the east side of the bathrooms with at least one stab wound to his chest. Officers performed CPR until the fire department arrived and while the victim was transported to a local hospital, he ultimately died of his injuries.
SMPD said the victim's identification is being withheld pending a release by the Coroner's office but according to SMPD, the victim was homeless.
SMPD said several witnesses reported hearing an argument break out between the victim and suspect in the breezeway next to the men’s restrooms. One of the witnesses saw the suspect stab the victim several times in the torso and chest.
The homeless suspect, Juan Evarastico Bahena, 48, remained in the area. After being identified by witnesses and taken into custody, officers believe they located the weapon in his backpack. He was arrested for murder and booked into the Santa Monica Jail.
Anyone with information related to this crime or suspect are encouraged to contact the SMPD Investigations Division during business hours at (310) 458-8451 or the Watch Commander 24-hours at (310) 458-8427.
