Two children were hospitalized Sunday night after being shot while riding in a Waymo autonomous vehicle.
The Santa Monica Police Department is actively investigating the shooting that occurred late Sunday night near the intersection of 2nd Street and Broadway. Two juvenile victims sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to a local hospital for treatment. One sustained a wound to the arm and the other to the torso; both are currently in stable condition.
Preliminary information indicates the shooting was a targeted and isolated incident that followed a verbal altercation earlier in the evening between the victims and the suspect. At the time of the shooting, the victims were passengers in the autonomous rideshare vehicle when the suspect approached on foot and fired multiple rounds into the vehicle before fleeing the scene.
The shooting is the latest violent crime to hit the downtown area.
This remains an open and active investigation. Detectives are reviewing video footage and pursuing all leads. Updates will be provided as additional details are confirmed. Anyone with information related to this incident is urged to contact the Santa Monica Police Department Watch Commander at 310-458-8427
Waymo issued a statement saying they are coordinating with police on the investigation.
“Safety is our highest priority at Waymo and our hearts go out to our injured riders," said a company spokesman. "We are coordinating with authorities on their ongoing investigation.”