On the afternoon of July 29, 2024, Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) officers responded to the 3200 block of Santa Monica Blvd for an assault that just occurred on a Santa Monica Big Blue Bus.
According to the SMPD, officers located the victim who reported being attacked from behind while seated on the bus. The attack was unprovoked; the victim did not know the suspect. The victim sustained significant injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
The suspect fled the scene prior to the officers’ arrival. Utilizing Big Blue Bus surveillance video, TAP card information and additional neighborhood surveillance camera video, SMPD detectives identified 34-year-old Erik Morgan of Los Angeles as the suspect. On August 9, Morgan was located and taken into custody.
Morgan, who has been confirmed as experiencing homelessness, was arraigned on August 13 and faces felony charges of 203 PC (Mayhem), 245(a)(4) PC (Assault likely to cause great bodily injury), 243(d) PC (aggravated battery) and 3455(a)pc (Violation of probation). He remains in custody of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Anyone with information about this incident or suspect is asked to contact Detective
Orta at (310) 458-2293, Sgt. Chad Goodwin at (310) 458-8931, or the Watch
Commander desk 24 hours a day at (310) 458-8427.
scott.snowden@smdp.com