Santa Monica police officer shoots, kills suspect in Palisades Park

A Santa Monica police officer has shot and killed a suspect who allegedly charged officers with a knife Saturday afternoon.

The shooting happened when police were investigating a reported domestic violence incident at Palisades Park near the 1400 block of Ocean Avenue.

According to police, when officers were interviewing witnesses, a person armed with a knife charged at the officers. 

"The suspect ignored repeated commands to drop the knife and continued to advance towards the officers," SMPD Chief Darrick Jacob said during a news conference after the shooting.  

That's when the officer fired one shot, striking the suspect, only identified as a man in his 40s.

The suspect was taken to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. No officers or bystanders were injured during the incident.

Police say the suspect was not involved in the original domestic violence investigation and that a knife was recovered at the scene as evidence.

The public was asked to avoid the area for several hours as police launched their investigation into the shooting. 

Palisades Park is a popular, iconic park along Ocean Avenue that overlooks the Santa Monica Bay.