The man accused of opening fire on two teenagers inside a Waymo vehicle and later shooting a Santa Monica police officer is now facing multiple felony charges, including three counts of attempted murder, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced Friday.
David John Hairston, 31, was formally charged in case 25ARCF01201 with three counts of attempted murder, two counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, one count of assault with a semiautomatic firearm on a peace officer, and one count of shooting at an occupied motor vehicle. Prosecutors said Hairston also faces special allegations that he acted with premeditation and that he personally and intentionally fired a handgun.
During a scheduled arraignment on Friday, Hairston’s defense declared a doubt as to his competency to stand trial. Criminal proceedings were suspended and a hearing to evaluate his mental state is now set for July 14 in Department 203 of the Hollywood Courthouse. Hairston remains in custody with bail set at $4 million.
“Our hearts go out to Officer Palmeira and the two young victims and their families who were senselessly targeted during these attacks,” District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in a statement. “Violence in our community, especially against our children and those who risk their lives to protect us, is unacceptable. We are committed to holding the suspect accountable.”
The charges stem from two separate incidents that unfolded in Downtown Santa Monica over the span of three days. The first took place on June 22 at around 11:30pm, when police say Hairston approached a Waymo autonomous taxi that had just picked up two teenagers near 2nd Street and Broadway. The vehicle was stopped at an intersection when Hairston allegedly ran up to it and fired multiple rounds into the back seat, striking both teens. The victims, aged 14 and 16, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to a nearby hospital. Hairston fled the scene before officers arrived.
Detectives quickly began reviewing surveillance footage and gathering witness accounts. According to the Santa Monica Police Department, an officer spotted a man matching the suspect’s description near 2nd Street and Colorado Avenue just after 1pm on June 25. The officer attempted to detain the individual, who fled on foot.
After running for roughly two blocks, the suspect allegedly ambushed the officer, identified by the District Attorney’s Office as Lucas Palmeira, and opened fire. Palmeira was struck in the hand. Fellow officers rendered aid and transported him to a hospital, where he was listed in stable condition.
The shooting triggered a citywide response. Santa Monica Place mall was evacuated and streets throughout the downtown core were shut down as law enforcement agencies from across the region converged on the area. The search extended through the afternoon and involved heavily armed officers, K-9 units and aerial support.
At approximately 4:20pm, officers received a tip from a community member who reported seeing someone matching the suspect’s description walking near Palisades Park. Officers responded immediately and located Hairston, who was taken into custody following a brief foot pursuit. Police said a firearm believed to have been used in both shootings was recovered at the time of his arrest.
Hairston is currently being held at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility. If convicted on all counts, he faces a maximum sentence of 104 years to life in state prison.
The Santa Monica Police Department issued a statement following the arrest thanking the public and more than a dozen partner agencies for their assistance during the response and investigation. Those agencies included the Los Angeles Police Department, California Highway Patrol, Beverly Hills Police Department, El Segundo Police Department, Hawthorne Police Department, Torrance Police Department, Gardena Police Department, Culver City Police Department, UCLA Police Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Stephen Lonseth of the office’s Crimes Against Peace Officers Division. Additional updates on the prosecution are expected following the July 14 competency hearing.
Police are continuing to investigate whether Hairston may be connected to any other incidents in the region. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Detective Isaac Reyes, Detective Lawrence Kayondo, or Detective Sergeant Alfonso Lozano. The Watch Commander is available 24 hours a day at (310) 458-8427.
scott.snowden@smdp.com