Bodycam footage shows how a Santa Monica police officer survived a violent ambush outside his own station last month.
In a video summarizing the events, investigators released security footage of 28-year-old New York resident Deyaa Abdelhadi Halaibeh attacking and stealing a set of knives from a Goal shop a few blocks away from the station. At approximately 5:20 p.m., security cameras outside the Santa Monica Police Department headquarters show Halaibeh walking to the station and pressing the payphone button to request an officer.
An officer left the building to speak with two bystanders standing near Halaibeh. The officer told the New York man he would help him after talking to the other people.
During the conversation, the officer said, “I’m a little nervous with your hand in your jacket like that,” after Halaibeh put his hand in his jacket.
He responded with “Are you nervous?” before attacking the officer. The officer briefly fended off his attacker before running around the corner and pulling out his firearm. He fired two rounds after Halaibeh quickly caught up and continued to attack.
During the close-quarters struggle, the officer threw Halaibeh to the ground and backed away.
Halaibeh stood up and continued walking toward the officer, telling him to lie back down on the ground. Shortly afterwards, the officer fired two more bullets, causing Halaibeh to fall again. Officers attempted to administer first aid to the suspect until the Santa Monica Fire Department arrived. However, it didn’t work and paramedics pronounced Halaibeh dead at the scene.
The officer stood his ground multiple stab wounds. Paramedics took him to hospital, but he was released the next day.
