SMPD investigates crime scene, deadly assault charge
By Daily Press staff
DOWNTOWN — Police fatally shot a Malibu man in front of Santa Monica High School early Monday after he led them on a high speed pursuit throughout Los Angeles for more than hour.
Nicholas Hans Killinger, 23, was shot shortly before 6 a.m. on Pico Boulevard near Sixth Street after Killinger rammed his vehicle into a Los Angeles Police car. The pursuit began at 4:30 a.m. after Killinger robbed a gas station in Agoura Hills at knifepoint, police said. Killinger reached speeds of up to 80 miles per hour as he led police throughout the city, including driving on the wrong side of the 101 Freeway, all of which was aired live by news helicopters.
Killinger drove down the Third Street Promenade shortly before he was cornered in front of Samohi. He threw his white Ford Tempo into reverse, smashing the front end of an LAPD squad car, police said. That’s when three police officers fired at least 12 shots into Killinger’s vehicle. Killinger tried to flee on foot, but was shot. He was taken to Santa Monica-UCLA Medical Center and pronounced dead a short time later.
“If he had complied with the officers’ wishes, it would have a completely different outcome,” said LAPD Lt. Art Miller. “He opted to use deadly force by ramming the officer’s car. It’s unfortunate and it’s even more unfortunate that he didn’t comply.”
Police had Pico Boulevard blocked off from Fourth Street to Lincoln Boulevard the entire day, leaving commuters to endure massive traffic jams and Samohi students having to walk around the crime scene to get to and from school.
Santa Monica Police detectives joined LAPD officers at the scene. SMPD will conduct a criminal investigation on the alleged assault with a deadly weapon on LAPD officers. Once the investigation is completed, it will be submitted to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
The SMPD was not involved in the vehicle pursuit or the shooting.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 24, 2004. Read the original PDF.