A police officer in Southern California fatally shot a man who stabbed him outside the Santa Monica Police Department in what authorities described as an “unprovoked knife attack.”
The incident occurred around 5:20 p.m. on Saturday when a man in his 30s approached the officer outside the station. The officer was speaking with a resident at the time and informed the man he would need to wait, according to officials.
However, without warning, the man drew a knife and attacked the officer, slashing and stabbing him, the department said in a statement on X (formerly Twitter).
The officer responded by drawing his firearm and retreating around the corner of the building, while the man continued his assault. The officer then shot the man, the police statement added.
Emergency medical aid was provided by police and the Santa Monica Fire Department, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
The officer, who sustained “very serious” injuries, was treated at a hospital and released to recover at home, the department said on Sunday via X.
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An investigation into the incident is being conducted by both the Santa Monica Police Department and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.