By Lookout Staff

January 15, 2025 -- SMPD detectives are investigating the fatal shooting of a homeless man in a Downtown alley at around 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, marking the first homicide of the year.

Shortly before the shooting, an unidentified female was seen arguing with the victim, a Black male in his 30s, in an alley on the 200 block of Broadway, according to police.

"The suspect, a male white or Hispanic in his 20s, approached the victim and chased him into the middle of the street, shooting (him) in the back," said Lt. Erika Aklufi, the Police Department spokesperson.

"The suspect was last seen running northbound in Alley 2 and out of sight," Aklufi said.

Officers arrived at the scene and attempted to save the victim, who was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead, police said.

The victim has not been identified. Detectives are currently reviewing witness statements and surveillance video to identify the parties involved.

The year's first homicide comes after five homicides were committed in Santa Monica last year, up from one in 2023 and three in 2022.

Last year's first homicide took place on June 11, when the manager of a pub on Main Street was killed during a fight that broke out after he asked several patrons to leave ("Patron Kills Main Street Pub Manager," June 13, 2024).

The other four homicides took place over the last three months of 2024.

On September 6, a security guard fatally stabbed a homeless man near Reed Park ("Security Guard Charged in Murder of Homeless Man," November 19, 2024).

On October 14, a Santa Monica College (SMC) employee was shot by a co-worker at the School's Center for Media & Design ("SMC Employee Shot Dies from Injuries," October 16, 2024).

On November 16, a 43-year-old man who may have developmental disabilities fatally stabbed his elderly mother in an apartment in the Wilmont neighborhood ("Man Arrested for Fatal Stabbing of Elderly Mother," November 18, 2024).

The most recent homicide occurred on December 22, when a hit-and-run driver killed an elderly Vietnam Veteran as she crossed Wilshire Boulevard ("Hit-and-Run Driver Arrested for Murder," December 27, 2024).

Anyone with information on Wednesday's homicide should contact Det. Reyes (Isaac.Reyes@santamonica.gov) at (310) 458-4852, Detective Sergeant Lozano (Alfonso.Lozano@santamonica.gov) at (310) 458-8774, or the Watch Commander 24 hours a day at (310) 458-8427.