Shootout at Metro

The fairly new train station at 4th St. and Colorado Ave. had one of its first major incidents, involving one man and Los Angeles Sheriff Department (LASD) deputies.On Tuesday, Oct. 4 at around 1:00 p.m., a man was reportedly standing at the Metro train station adjacent to the promenade holding a kitchen knife. Police said he “lunged at deputies with a knife” (KTLA), creating no other option than to get him under control. While the deputies were controlling the suspect, they discovered a second knife attached to the suspect and decided it was necessary to pull the trigger in order to protect the civilians at the scene.“The LASD Deputies assigned to the terminal were alerted by the suspect carrying a knife in plain view,” Santa Monica Police Department Lieutenant Saul Rodriguez said. “Deputies ordered the suspect to drop the knife. The suspect did not comply and produced a second knife.”The victim was shot in the upper torso and was later pronounced to be in critical condition. No deputies associated with the crime scene were injured and paramedics rushed to the scene to provide aid to the wounded suspect. No civilians were injured at the setting and the train stop was closed temporarily due to further police investigation. The victim’s name is still unknown to the public, and further information may be announced soon.Samo senior ZoeTucker (’17) isn’t letting this issue hold her back.“The Metro is a great way of getting around Los Angeles and this one little predicament isn’t going to stop me from using it. There is never a time when I don’t feel safe at the station because there are always officers protecting the environment, so this mishap shouldn’t encourage someone to stop using the train,” Tucker said.Around 6,500 people enter the station every day, and that number is growing exponentially. This being said, safety could become a greater issue as time goes on. There are deputies always making sure the Metro setting is safe, and if you see something or have any problems, feel free to contact the nearest one.“LASD is responsible for any crimes occurring on the Metro train and platforms in the City of Santa Monica. In the event of an emergency on a Metro train or platform wherein LASD is not available and SMPD is notified, SMPD will respond to the scene and take action if necessary,” Rodriguez said.