A 26-year-old woman is recovering from a gunshot wound to her thigh after an incident at the Santa Monica Pier around 6:00 a.m. Thursday, according to Sgt. Rudy Flores with the Santa Monica Police Department. The wound is not life-threatening.
A nearby fisherman contacted Harbor Guards early in the morning when he saw the wounded woman. Police responded immediately but said the victim, who they believe is from Riverside, gave conflicting statements about the moments that led up to the shooting. St. Flores described the victim as "uncooperative," identifying the shooter as a Hispanic man who fled the scene, refusing to give any additional details.
Detectives are reviewing camera footage from outside the Marisol Mexican restaurant and at other nearby businesses.
"We are exploring all possible leads," Flores said.
The Pier was closed during the investigation but reopened at about 10:30 a.m. Lt. Rob Silverstein said five Harbor Patrol divers spent about three hours looking for anything unusual in the ocean.
The north-side fishing deck remained closed off by police tape, befuddling tourists enjoying the Pier at the end of the summer season.
"That's not PG," one father told his son as he ushered him away from the yellow tape.
kate@smdp.com
