Bodycam Shows Man Advancing With Knife Before Fatal Santa Monica Police Shooting: Video

SANTA MONICA, CA — Newly released body-worn camera footage shows the moments before a Santa Monica police officer fatally shot a 44-year-old man in Palisades Park, including the man advancing toward the officer with a large knife raised as the officer backed away.

The Santa Monica Police Department released a Critical Incident Community Debriefing Video Saturday morning detailing the Aug. 22 shooting of Michael Rodriguez near the 1400 block of Ocean Avenue. The video provides the clearest account yet of the confrontation that preceded Rodriguez's death.

Officers had been called to the area at about 12:49 p.m. for a reported domestic violence incident and were speaking with witnesses when Rodriguez, who was not involved in the original call, approached them, according to police.

Body-worn camera footage shows Rodriguez approaching across Palisades Park holding a large fixed-blade knife raised near his head. The officer who ultimately fired can be seen pointing his handgun at Rodriguez and moving backward as Rodriguez continues toward him. Several other people are visible nearby as the confrontation unfolds.

Police said officers repeatedly ordered Rodriguez to drop the knife and attempted to create distance. Rodriguez continues advancing toward the officer with the knife raised before the officer fires. Rodriguez falls to the ground.

Police Chief Darrick Jacob previously said the officer fired a single shot. Rodriguez died from a gunshot wound to the chest, according to the Los Angeles County medical examiner's office.

Officers can then be seen moving toward Rodriguez and beginning emergency medical treatment. Additional body-camera footage shows several officers providing aid before Santa Monica Fire Department personnel continued lifesaving efforts.

Rodriguez was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead at approximately 1:49 p.m., police said. No officers or other members of the public were injured.

Police Video Details 3 Knives

The newly released video also provides additional details about the weapons police said were recovered following the shooting. SMPD's presentation identifies three knives connected to Rodriguez.

An evidence photograph labels a large fixed-blade weapon as “Knife 1” and states that the “Suspect Held [it] in Hands.” The video identifies “Knife 2” as having been found in Rodriguez's pocket and “Knife 3” as having been found in his backpack.

Saturday's written release says “multiple knives” were recovered at the scene. That is more detail than police initially released. SMPD's Aug. 24 update said only that “a knife was recovered at the scene.”

“Our officers answer calls for help knowing the circumstances can change in an instant. On August 22, they encountered an armed individual while assisting with an unrelated call,” Jacob said Saturday.

“I recognize the lasting impact an incident like this can have on the officers and personnel who responded, and they have my support,” Jacob said. “When a life is lost during a police encounter, our responsibility to provide a clear and open account is especially important. Releasing this video is an important step in providing that account to our community.”

Mayor Caroline Torosis also praised the officers involved and the lifesaving efforts that followed.

“Our officers are part of this community, and violence against them puts everyone around us at risk,” Torosis said in the statement. “Their safety is inseparable from the safety of the people they serve.”

Shooting Remains Under Investigation

SMPD said the debriefing video reflects evidence currently available during the preliminary investigation and does not represent final findings or conclusions about the shooting.

The department's initial Aug. 22 statement said Rodriguez “charged at the officers” while armed with a knife as they interviewed witnesses. Two days later, police added that Rodriguez ignored repeated commands to drop the knife and continued advancing before one officer fired.

In a Sept. 8 department recap, SMPD said Rodriguez advanced toward officers “with the knife raised” while officers gave commands and attempted to create distance.

California law requires video and audio recordings involving a critical incident to be released within 45 days, subject to limited statutory exceptions and extensions, according to SMPD. The shooting remains under investigation.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has relevant video was asked to contact Sgt. George Burciaga at George.Burciaga@santamonica.gov or the SMPD Watch Commander at 310-458-8427.