By Lookout Staff

January 25, 2023 -- Two drivers were charged with attempted murder after an argument turned violent at a busy Downtown Santa Monica intersection Tuesday afternoon.

Officers were flagged down at around 3:42 p.m. by several people who heard gunshots near 6th Street and Broadway and found two vehicles -- an SUV and a van -- involved in a collision, police said.

Emilio Reyes

Manuel Jaramillo (Courtesy SMPD)

The driver of the SUV, Emilio Reyes, "appeared to have a gunshot wound to his upper arm," said Lt. Rudy Flores, the Police Department spokesman.

The officers learned that the driver of the van, identified as Manuel Jaramillo, had shot several rounds at Reyes.

"In response, Reyes intentionally rammed his SUV into Jaramillo’s van twice, while he was still inside," Flores said.

Reyes was transported to a local hospital with a non-life-threatening injury and has been discharged, he said.

Police have not determined a motive, but the two men knew each other and had an argument before the incident, Flores said.

Officers took Jamarillo into custody and recovered the gun he used. Both vehicles were towed to be processed by Forensics.

Jaramillo, a 52-year--old resident of Inglewood, and Reyes, a 43-year-old resident of Los Angeles were both booked for attempted murder.

The case will be presented to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office Thursday for filing consideration.

Anyone with additional information on the suspects or incident should call SMPD Detective George Burciaga at 310-458-8932 or the Watch Commander (24 hours) at 310-458-8426.