Santa Monica, CA – A 31-year-old man is being held on $1 million bail in connection with two separate shooting incidents in Santa Monica, including one that injured a police officer and another involving juveniles in a self-driving vehicle. Authorities have identified the suspect as David John Hairston.
Hairston remains in custody as of Thursday, June 26, 2025, facing serious charges following a tumultuous few days that saw law enforcement responding to reports of gunfire across the city. He was formally booked on suspicion of at least one count of attempted murder.
According to court records, Mr. Hairston is scheduled to make his initial appearance at the LAX Courthouse on Friday to potentially face charges related to the shootings.
Officer Injured Near Santa Monica Place
The incident involving a Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) officer occurred shortly after 1 p.m. on Wednesday, June 25th, near the bustling Santa Monica Place mall. The officer, a recent addition to the department, was patrolling the area when they reportedly recognized David John Hairston from a police bulletin that had been circulated regarding an earlier shooting incident.
Upon attempting to make contact or apprehend the suspect, a confrontation ensued, resulting in the officer being shot. SMPD Chief Ramon Batista addressed the media regarding the officer’s condition, stating they sustained a serious but not life-threatening injury to their hand. The injured officer was transported to a local hospital and is currently in stable condition.
The shooting prompted a significant law enforcement response and temporarily disrupted activity around the popular shopping center as police established a perimeter and began a search for the suspect who fled the scene on foot.
Earlier Waymo Shooting Incident
The bulletin from which the officer recognized Mr. Hairston was linked to a shooting that took place days earlier, on Sunday, June 22nd. This incident occurred around 11:40 p.m. and involved occupants of a Waymo vehicle, part of the city’s expanding landscape of autonomous ride-sharing services.
Details released by investigators indicate that the shooting targeted the vehicle and resulted in injuries to two 17-year-old juveniles who were inside. Like the officer, the teenage victims sustained non-life-threatening injuries and received medical treatment.
The connection between the two incidents – the earlier shooting involving the Waymo and the later shooting of the police officer – became a critical focus for investigators and ultimately led to identifying David John Hairston as a suspect in both cases.
Arrest and Ongoing Investigation
The search for David John Hairston following the officer-involved shooting led law enforcement on a foot pursuit and an hours-long search across Santa Monica. Authorities eventually located and apprehended the suspect in Palisades Park.
The arrest marked the culmination of intensive efforts by the Santa Monica Police Department to bring the individual responsible for the recent violence into custody. While police have not publicly detailed a motive for either shooting, investigators have indicated they believe Mr. Hairston may be homeless.
The Santa Monica Police Department has urged anyone with information regarding either incident to come forward as the investigation remains ongoing. The booking of David John Hairston on suspicion of attempted murder signifies the severity of the allegations he now faces.
The community of Santa Monica has been shaken by these events, particularly the targeting of both law enforcement and civilians, including juveniles, in separate incidents just days apart. The swift action by the officer who recognized the suspect and the subsequent multi-agency response are credited with leading to the apprehension.
