The Santa Monica Police Department released bodycam footage Thursday of an October attack on an officer, which resulted in the shooting and death of a knife-wielding man outside the department headquarters.
The incident occurred around 5:21 p.m. on Oct. 5, when the officer was leaving the building to speak with a woman about an unrelated issue, according to the agency.
The officer’s bodycam video captured three people outside the suspect, 28-year-old Deyaa Abdelhadi Halaibeh, a lady, and another male.
“Let me speak to them first, and then we can talk,” the officer can be heard saying to Halaibeh, who approached him at the door.
Halaibeh, who had one hand inside his jacket, inquired as to whether the other people had arrived at the building first, and the woman confirmed that she had. He then began to speak before being interrupted by the police, who inquired as to what he was holding inside his jacket.
“What’s inside your jacket?” “I’m a little concerned with your hand inside your jacket like that,” the officer replied.
“You’re nervous?” Halaibeh exclaimed, then went at the cop with a knife. The officer was stabbed and cut before escaping to the side of the building and arming himself with his rifle, all while Halaibeh attacked him.
The cop fired a couple of shots, prompting Halaibeh to fall and drop the knife. He picked up the knife again and started heading toward the officer before being shot.
According to Santa Monica Police, he was pronounced dead outside the station. The cop was sent to a hospital, where he was treated and released.
According to the Santa Monica Police Department, Halaibeh, a New York resident, had no criminal history in California and had no prior contact with them. It’s unknown what made him attack the officer.
The knife he used was an eight-inch chef’s knife from a pack he stole from a Target employee minutes before coming at the police station, according to CCTV footage. Halaibeh allegedly assaulted the employee during the theft.
Santa Monica Police noted that under California law, departments have 45 days to reveal video and audio records of significant situations, and the agency appreciates the importance of doing so when deadly force is utilized.
“The use of force by law enforcement officers is a source of great concern to both the public and the law enforcement community. Every day, police engage with members of the public in quickly changing situations and, when necessary, use justifiable force to carry out their jobs, according to a department statement.
“This is especially true for cops protecting the community and themselves from attacks and overcoming opposition while doing their law enforcement duties. Officers and supervisors must understand their power and restrictions, as well as the significant repercussions of any use of force.”