SANTA MONICA, CA. (THECOUNT) — A security guard was forced to open fire on a crazed knife-wielding suspect at the Third Street Promenade Friday morning, sparking widespread panic and prompting a massive police presence.
Santa Monica police say a male suspect approached a Brinks armored truck near the promenade and Arizona Avenue around 11:15 a.m. It was not immediately clear what type of interaction occurred between the suspect and the Security guard who eventually opened fire.
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In all, 3 shots were fired during the intense incident.
It is unclear if the suspect, who was later taken into custody, was struck by the guard’s gunfire. The guard was not injured, reports KABC on Friday afternoon.
The sound of gunshots sent shoppers scattering off the promenade, some scrambling into businesses to seek cover.
Officers swarmed the area, cordoning off a section of the promenade as they conducted a search for the suspect.
During the search, police stressed that the disturbance did not involve an active shooter — allaying concerns that have been heightened nationally in light of a recent rash of mass shootings.
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Geo quick facts: Santa Monica is a coastal city west of downtown Los Angeles. Santa Monica Beach is fringed by Palisades Park, with views over the Pacific Ocean. Santa Monica Pier is home to the Pacific Park amusement park, historic Looff Hippodrome Carousel and Santa Monica Pier Aquarium. Next to the pier is Muscle Beach, an outdoor gym established in the 1930s. In the city center, Bergamot Station houses several art galleries – wikipedia.