Minor in Possession of a Handgun
January 10, 2022 6:03 PM
On January 8, 2022, Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) Officers assigned to patrol the pier, were driving through beach Parking Lot 1 North (1550 Pacific Coast Highway). At approximately 5:30 PM, as officers approached a group of individuals standing near a pick-up truck loaded with vending carts, a male in the group lifted his arms and officers noticed the black handle of a handgun protruding from above the male’s waistband.
SMPD Officers contacted the male and safely recovered the handgun from his waistband. They also found a high-capacity loaded magazine (15 rounds) in his front pocket. While SMPD officers were engaged in the high-risk action of taking an armed individual into custody, they encountered a large group of vendors that attempted to intervene on behalf of the armed subject. Despite the vendors taunting and verbally abusive behaviors toward the officers, SMPD officers successfully detained and disarmed the individual. Officers on scene required the immediate assistance of additional officers to assist with the safe departure from the area with the arrested individual.
While at the station, officers learned that the male was a juvenile (14 years-old). The un-serialized semi-automatic handgun (aka: “ghost-gun”) and magazine with live rounds were booked into property as evidence.
The minor for was booked for 265400(a)(2) PC – Carrying a Loaded Firearm and 32310(a) PC – Possession of High-Capacity magazine and subsequently transported to juvenile hall.
Anyone with any information of a crime involving this individual is strongly encouraged to contact Detective Spenser at 310-458-8415 or the Watch Commander (24 hours) at 310-458-8426.
Media Contact
Rudy Flores
Captain
Rudy.Flores@SMGOV.NET