Police Shoot, Arrest Three in Promenade Beating

By Lookout Staff

October 2 -- A Santa Monica police officer fired two shots at a suspect involved in a beating and possible stabbing behind the Third Street Promenade shortly after midnight Saturday.

The suspect, who was not injured, as well as two others allegedly beat a man during a fight, kicking him in the head and possibly stabbing him, police said. The three men, all from Denver, Colorado, were booked for assault with a deadly weapon.

The victim was transported to a local hospital and is listed in serious condition with head trauma and abrasions.

The incident began at around 12:25 a.m. Saturday, when police responded to a report of a fight in progress or a possible stabbing at the rear of 300 Santa Monica Boulevard. When they arrived, the officers saw the three male suspects assaulting a male victim.

“At least one combatant was kicking the victim in the head,” police said in a statement. “One of the suspects attempted to stab a second victim with a knife.”

As officers approached, the three suspects fled on foot, police said. One suspect was arrested after a brief foot chase, while a second suspect ran to a vehicle parked nearby.

“An officer attempted to arrest the second suspect by ordering him to surrender,” police said. “During the arrest the officer fired two shots at the suspect in an attempt to apprehend him.”

The suspect, who was not injured, drove away from the scene and was quickly arrested, police said. The third suspect was located and arrested without incident.

The suspects were identified as Steven Casados, 26; Louis Casados, 37, and Anthony Vasquez, 18 all from Denver, Colorado.

The investigation is on going and is being handled by the Robbery-Homicide Unit of the Santa Monica Police Department.