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Santa Monica Police Release Bodycam Video of Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting in Palisades Park
Just the facts
On August 22, 2026, two Santa Monica police officers were responding to an unrelated disturbance call when 44-year-old Michael Rodriguez approached them while brandishing a large fixed-blade knife above his head. Officers issued multiple verbal commands for Rodriguez to drop the weapon, but he continued advancing toward one retreating officer. The officer fired a single shot from his department-issued handgun, striking Rodriguez in the chest before backup and emergency medical crews provided first aid. Rodriguez was pronounced dead at a local hospital, where examiners recovered two additional knives from his person, prompting criminal and administrative investigations by local police and the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.
Why this is news
The Santa Monica Police Department released body camera footage documenting a fatal officer-involved shooting that occurred in Palisades Park in Santa Monica, California.
Sources
This summary is compiled strictly from the original reporting below.