Knife Attack Suspect Robbed a Santa Monica Target Store Prior to The Attack, Police Say

Authorities Have Identified the Suspect in a Fatal Attack on a Santa Monica Police Officer That Occurred Outside the Department’s Headquarters

Authorities have identified the suspect in a fatal attack on a Santa Monica police officer that occurred outside the department’s headquarters Saturday evening. The suspect, Deyaa Abdelhadi Halaibeh, 28, of New York State, was killed at the scene after stabbing an officer multiple times.

The incident took place at approximately 5:21 p.m. on October 5, 2024, when Halaibeh, armed with an 8-inch chef’s knife, attacked the officer in front of the police station. The officer, whose name has not been released, shot Halaibeh in self-defense, according to a statement from the Santa Monica Police Department. Halaibeh was pronounced dead at the scene.

Prior to the attack, Halaibeh was suspected of committing a robbery at a nearby Target store located at 420 Broadway. Store security reported that, around 5:16 p.m., a man had pushed an employee to the ground and stolen a box of kitchen knives. The suspect fled the store, but the box was later found with one knife missing — the same knife believed to have been used in the attack on the officer.

Halaibeh had no known criminal history in California and no previous contacts with the Santa Monica Police Department. His housing status at the time of the incident remains unclear.

The investigation is ongoing. Authorities are urging anyone with information regarding Halaibeh or the incident to contact Detective Peter Zamfirov at peter.zamfirov@santamonica.gov, Detective Sergeant Alfonso Lozano at alfonso.lozano@santamonica.gov, or the Watch Commander at 310-458-8427, available 24 hours a day.

Further updates will be provided as the investigation develops.

in Hard, News
Related Posts

Third Street Promenade Loses Bibibop Asian Grill

July 3, 2025

July 3, 2025

Bibibop opened at the Santa Monica location in 2017 after taking over a former ShopHouse space. Bibibop Asian Grill, a...

(Video) Legacy, Reimagined: Architecture, Design & Construction by Home Front Build Los Angeles

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Go To Homefrontbuild.com For More Information @home_front_build Legacy, Reimagined: Architecture, Design & Construction by Home Front Build Los Angeles Go...

(Video) Gladstone’s Malibu Prepares for Reopening after Surviving Palisades Fires

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

With One Half of its Structure Slightly Charred and Undergoing Repairs, Gladstone’s Malibu is Reopening its Patio Space Just in...

Col. Eric Swenson Honored by LA for Historic Debris Removal Effort

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Swenson, with a distinguished military background including a Ph.D. and multiple master’s degrees from Penn State and other institutions, has...

More Commercial Uses Could Be Coming to RAND Building

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Amendment Unlocks New Opportunities, Secures $5.5 Million in Community Benefits The Santa Monica Planning Commission unanimously approved an amendment to...

(Video) ‘World’s Strongest Man’ Champion Pulls Big Blue Bus for 30 feet

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

World-class strongman Martins Licis pulled a 34,680‑pound, 35-feet long, battery electric bus through the Pier to set off Pier 360...

Proposed Rebuilding Authority for Wildfire Recovery Sparks Local Control Debate

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

Plan Aims to Streamline Rebuilding but Raises Questions Over Community Input A proposed “Resilient Rebuilding Authority” to oversee recovery from...

Marquez Students Rebuild Robots Destroyed in Fire, Shine at National and World Competitions

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

Community and Coaches Rally Behind Young Innovators Elementary students from Marquez Charter Elementary School rebuilt their robots after they were...

Second Victim Killed Alongside LAPD Sergeant in Brentwood 405 Crash Identified

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

Authorities Confirm Garcia, 34, Died at the Scene, GoFundMe Launched  Authorities have identified the civilian who was killed alongside a...

Why Nordstrom Says It’s Closing Its Santa Monica Place Location

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

A Nordstrom spokesperson explained the closure as a strategic realignment Nordstrom confirmed its decision to close its Santa Monica store...

People are Using Palisades for “Disaster Tours.” Local Officials Are Trying to Stop Them

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

A new motion introduced to City Council requests a coordinated strategy from LADOT, the Los Angeles Police Department, and the...

LAUSD Approves $604 Million Plan to Rebuild Fire-Damaged Palisades Schools

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

The reconstruction, set to conclude by the end of 2028, aims to restore facilities for approximately 3,620 students across the...

Free Virtual Planetarium Shows Coming to SMC in July

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

The virtual format is in place as construction of the new SMC Planetarium and Observatory nears completion The Santa Monica...

Six-Bed Mar Vista Hilltop Home Under Construction Lists for $5.3M

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

The private backyard is complete with a pool, spa, fire pit, built-in BBQ, and areas for outdoor dining A stunning...

(Video) Getty Villa Reopens Six Months After Dodging Destruction of Palisades Wildfires

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

With the reopening also comes a new exhibit, “The Kingdom of Pylos” Getty Villa Reopens Six Months After Dodging Destruction...