Police arrest suspect who shot officer near Santa Monica Place

The Santa Monica Police Department arrested a man who allegedly shot an officer Wednesday afternoon.

Santa Monica Police Chief Ramon Batista said officers located the suspect at 4:20 p.m. at Palisades Park, a few hours after the shooting. 

The officer was wounded near Santa Monica Place, located near 4th Street and Colorado Avenue. Investigators said the man who opened fire on the officer is also suspected of shooting two juveniles riding in a self-driving Waymo car Sunday night. 

The officer approached the suspect after recognizing him from a wanted bulletin connected to Sunday's shooting, according to Santa Monica PD. The suspect opened fire when the officer moved closer and ran away. 

Police from multiple departments and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department spent hours searching for the suspect. A tip from a witness helped officers track the suspect down and arrest him. Officers said the suspect had a handgun believed to be used in the shooting. 

"I want to thank all of our residents who called us and gave us information about the whereabouts of this suspect," Chief Batista said. "They were ultimately our best partners in determining where he was."

The officer was seriously injured but is in stable condition, according to Santa Monica PD.  

"The officer is one of our younger, new additions to the force," Batista said. "He's enthusiastic. He's in field training. He's got a great attitude. I saw him in the hospital this afternoon. He is in good spirits. I feel hopeful that he will recover."

The department said the suspect is in his 30s, wearing a dark-colored jacket and black jeans. He was identified on Thursday as 31-year-old David John Hairston. He was booked on suspicion of at least one count of attempted murder and his bail was set at $1 million. He is expected to appear at the Airport Courthouse on Friday.