Man Who Shot Santa Monica Officer Linked To Shooting Of 2 Teens In Driverless Taxi: Police

SANTA MONICA, CA — The man suspected of shooting a Santa Monica police officer on Wednesday, days after firing at teens riding in a driverless taxi remained held on $1 million bail Thursday.

David John Hairston, 31, was booked on at least one count of attempted murder, according to a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Inmate Information Center spokesperson. He's set to appear in court on Friday, jail records show.

The suspect is believed to be homeless, police said.

Hairston was arrested Wednesday afternoon after an ordeal that shut down streets in Santa Monica and prompted a large police response.

A police officer approached the suspect after recognizing him from a bulletin about the person wanted in connection to the shooting of two youths who were riding in a Waymo driverless taxi on Sunday, according to Mayor Lana Negrete.

The suspect began running as the officer approached him in or near the Santa Monica Place Mall shortly after 1 p.m.

"During the brief pursuit, the suspect ambushed the officer and fired multiple rounds, striking him before fleeing the area," Chief Ramon Batista.

The officer, who has not been publicly identified, recently joined the department, Batista said. He suffered from a non-life threatening hand wound and was transported to a local hospital for treatment, Negrete said.

Officers from Santa Monica, Los Angeles, El Segundo and other agencies descended on the area to conduct a coordinated search, including assistance from at least one search dog.

An hour later, police said they had cleared Santa Monica Place and that the shooter remained at large. Authorities released a photo and description of the man.

Around 4:30 p.m., officers were seen taking a suspect into custody in Palisades Park near the California Incline, about a mile from the mall, according to the department.

The arrest and recovery of a gun followed a tip from a local resident who saw photos of the suspect released by police, Batista said.

"This marks the second time in eight months that a Santa Monica officer has been seriously injured in the line of duty — first by stabbing, now by gunfire. The officer injured in the earlier stabbing continues to recover," according to a department statement.

In an interview with KTLA, Negrete said the suspect involved in the shooting is believed to be the same person who opened fire at a driverless Waymo vehicle on Sunday night near Second Street and Broadway in Santa Monica, injuring two juveniles inside.

Santa Monica police Lt. Lewis Gilmour said that shooting was believed to have been the result of an earlier verbal altercation between the victims, both 17, and the suspect.

City News Service contributed to this report.