BY MATTHEW HALL
A Santa Monica Police Officer is recovering after a violent assault at a local convenience store.
According to SMPD, the lone officer entered the 7-11 store at 1600 Santa Monica Blvd. at about 7:25 p.m. on Oct. 28.
While in the store, the officer was approached by Darryl Andrew McIntosh, 28 of Santa Monica who appeared to intentionally bump into the officer.
“The officer attempted to take the suspect into custody but the suspect was non-compliant and became agitated and aggressive towards the officer,” said Lieutenant Saul Rodriguez. “A violent struggle ensued between the officer and suspect inside the store. At some point, the suspect gouged the officer’s eyes. The officer was able to request assistance over the police radio. The first assisting officer arrived on scene and was able to subdue the suspect with a police baton.”
Rodriguez said video surveillance is available of the incident and the suspect might have purposed entered the store to encounter the officer.
McIntosh has a previous arrest that involves the officer.
McIntosh was eventually subdued and arrested. The officer was taken to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries- head injury and multiple injuries.
Rodriguez said the officer is expected to recover despite what was a life threatening encounter.
“Definitely, this officer was fighting for his life. It could have been lethal had he not continued to fight and had the assisting officer not arrived,” he said.
McIntosh was arrested for Mayhem, Battery on a Peace Officer and Resisting an officer by means of force or violence. Mayhem is an assault charge used when a suspect attempts to dismember a victim and is related to the attempt to gouge the officer’s eyes.
Due to his history of violence, McIntosh was transported to the Los Angeles County Jail.
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