The search for a female shooter is underway after a man was gunned down in Santa Monica Thursday morning.
The Santa Monica Police Department responded to a report of shots fired on the 2600 block of 29th Street just before 10:30 a.m.
On the scene, police discovered a male gunshot victim who was later transported to a local hospital. Witnesses said the man was seen badly bleeding inside the car. He later died from his injuries at the hospital, police said.
Video from Sky5 showed police inspecting a black Ford Mustang Mach-E SUV at the crime scene.
The driver’s side window of that car was completely shattered and what appeared to be blood was seen on the driver’s side door on the the street. Debris and evidence markers could be seen in the roadway, with at least one bullet casing found.
The search for a female shooter is underway after a man was shot and killed in Santa Monica on Jan. 25, 2024. (TNLA) 
The search for a female shooter is underway after a man was shot and killed in Santa Monica on Jan. 25, 2024. (TNLA) 
The search for a female shooter is underway after a man was shot and killed in Santa Monica on Jan. 25, 2024. (KTLA) 
The search for a female shooter is underway after a man was shot and killed in Santa Monica on Jan. 25, 2024. (KTLA) 
The search for a female shooter is underway after a man was shot and killed in Santa Monica on Jan. 25, 2024. (KTLA) 
The search for a female shooter is underway after a man was shot and killed in Santa Monica on Jan. 25, 2024. (KTLA) 
The search for a female shooter is underway after a man was shot and killed in Santa Monica on Jan. 25, 2024. (TNLA)
Witnesses told KTLA there appeared to be some sort of argument between the suspect and the victim before shots were fired.
“The two people got into a scuffle in a singular car,” said Kyle Kolhoff, a witness. “One took a shot at the other and possibly injured themselves. They just basically went running around the neighborhood and what I heard is that no one’s caught them.”
“A Black female wearing a dark hoodie ran south into the business park and the helicopters were here,” said Joe Nicoletti, a witness. “I don’t know how she would’ve gotten away.”
As the shooter remained at large, some residents found news of the incident to be uncharacteristic of the city.
“We were freaking out,” said Hao Lin, a witness, “We were running and panicking. Nobody expects Santa Monica to have this happening. It’s such a safe neighborhood.”
“It doesn’t usually happen here in Santa Monica,” said Manuel Conde, a local resident. “Not a shooting like this. We have our problems with the homeless and that kind of stuff, but never shootings.”
“I’ve been here for 22 years and nothing’s ever happened like this,” Nicoletti said.
A heavy police presence remained on the scene for several hours Thursday afternoon in the area of 29th Street and Ocean Park.
Police were requesting patience from civilians as they investigated the scene and urged people to avoid the area.
A police spokesperson said the female suspect is still outstanding. No suspect description was provided.
The victim’s identity has not been released and it’s unknown whether he owns the black SUV was found in. Police would only confirm that he wasn’t a Santa Monica resident.
