By Jorge Casuso

Editor's note: This article was updated at 10 p.m. Thursday to include the suspect's name and the charges expected to be filed against him.

June 25, 2025 -- A suspect wanted in the Sunday shooting of two juveniles Downtown was arrested Wednesday afternoon after shooting and wounding an officer trying to arrest him, according to police.

He has been identified as David John Hairston II, 31, who is believed to be homeless, police said. Hairston is currently being held at the Santa Monica Jail with bail at $1 million.

He is scheduled to appear in court Friday and is expected to be charged with the attempted murder of a peace officer, assault with a deadly weapon, two Counts of attempted murder related to the Sunday shooting and firearms violations.

Wednesday's incident began at around 1 p.m., when the police officer identified the suspect near the Santa Monica Place mall and attempted to detain him, police said.

The suspect fled on foot, and "during the brief pursuit, the suspect ambushed the officer and fired multiple rounds, striking him before fleeing the area," said Lt. Lewis Gilmour, the Police Department spokesperson.

"The officer sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries and remains in stable condition," Gilmour said. "Responding officers provided immediate aid and he was transported to a local hospital."

At 1:43 p.m., the Police Department issued a statement asking the public to avoid the area near Santa Monica Place at 4th Street and Colorado "to allow emergency personnel to respond safely and efficiently."

"The suspect remains at large, and a coordinated search is underway," the statement said.

At 3:04 p.m., SMPD released an image of the shooting suspect and urged anyone who recognized him to immediately call 911.

The suspect was described as a black male, around 30 years of age and wearing a dark-colored jacket and black pants.

The Department also announced that Santa Monica Place had been cleared and the orders to shelter in place had been lifted throughout the Downtown area."

Police officials announced that "a coordinated search" was underway that would include 11 law enforcement agencies, including eight area police departments.

At approximately 4:20 p.m., Hairston was taken into custody near Palisades Park, officials said.

"A timely tip from a resident led officers to the suspect, who was apprehended after a brief foot pursuit," Gilmour said. "The firearm used in the assault was recovered."

Hairston was wanted in connection with the "targeted" shooting of two juveniles inside an autonomous rideshare vehicle in Downtown late Sunday night ("Two Juveniles Shot Sunday in 'Isolated Incident,'" June 24, 2025). .

Wednesday's incident "marks the second time in eight months that a Santa Monica officer has been seriously injured in the line of duty—first by stabbing, now by gunfire," Gilmour said.

The officer injured in the October 5 stabbing continues to recover, he said ("Suspect Stabbed Officer With Stolen Knife," October 8, 2024).

"These incidents underscore the risks faced by officers in the line of duty and the continued need for collective commitment to public safety and community partnership," the Department said in a statement after the arrest.

Supporting the coordinated effort to apprehend the suspect were the Los Angeles Police Department, California Highway Patrol, Beverly Hills Police Department, El Segundo Police Department, Hawthorne Police Department, Torrance Police Department, Los Angeles District Attorney Police, Gardena Police Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Culver City PD and UCLA PD.

"We sincerely thank our law enforcement partners for their crucial support," Gilmour said.