Santa Monica police released dramatic body camera and surveillance video on Thursday showing a knife-wielding man attacking an officer outside the front door of the police station.
The incident unfolded the evening of Oct. 5 when, according to police, Deyaa Abdelhadi Halaibeh, 28, first assaulted an employee at the Target store on 420 Broadway and ran away with a knife set.
Halaibeh then walked a short distance to the police station on Olympic Drive, where he rang the call button to speak to an officer, security video shows.Target security video showing Deyaa Abdelhadi Halaibeh attacking an employee before stealing a set of knives. Oct. 5, 2024. (Santa Monica PD)
An officer opened the door to the courtyard and immediately encountered Halaibeh, with his right hand tucked inside his jacket, standing near two other people who were also waiting to speak to police.
“What’s in your jacket? I’m kind of nervous with your hand in your jacket like that,” the officer asked.
Halaibeh, who appeared agitated, responded by asking, “You’re nervous?” and immediately pulled out a knife and slashed at the officer.
Body camera and surveillance footage show the officer running around a corner in an attempt to get away, but Halaibeh caught up with him, and they both fell to the ground.
The officer fired several shots as he got to his feet and backed away with his service weapon pointed at his attacker.
“Get on the ground!” the officer yelled.
Body-worn camera footage of a man attacking a Santa Monica police officer with a knife on Oct. 5, 2024. (Santa Monica PD)The officer escaped the knife attack and attempted to deescalate the situation before ultimately fatally shooting Deyaa Abdelhadi Halaibeh, 28. (Santa Monica PD)The officer escaped the knife attack and attempted to deescalate the situation before ultimately fatally shooting Deyaa Abdelhadi Halaibeh, 28. (Santa Monica PD)
