A call about a man allegedly chasing a woman escalated into a fatal police confrontation after a separate man armed with a knife charged at an officer in a crowded Southern California seaside park, newly released body-camera footage shows.
The high-stakes incident occurred Aug. 22 as Santa Monica Police Department officers responded to reports of a man pursuing a woman near the Broadway stairs, according to a newly released critical incident briefing.
The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner identified the man killed during the confrontation as Michael Rodriguez, 44.
Santa Monica police body-camera footage shows Michael Rodriguez approaching an officer with a knife raised at Palisades Park on Aug. 22, 2026. (Santa Monica Police Department)
At about 12:30 p.m., two uniformed officers were dispatched to Broadway and Ocean Avenue. They later spoke with witnesses in the 1400 block of Palisades Park.
Palisades Park, a busy oceanfront destination, was filled with pedestrians, tourists and vendors that Saturday afternoon when officers encountered Rodriguez. Police said Rodriguez, who was not connected to the initial call, held a large knife above his head and advanced toward an officer and several nearby bystanders.
Police said Michael Rodriguez kept advancing with a large knife despite repeated orders to drop it. (Santa Monica Police Department)
“Hey, put that down,” an officer repeatedly yells in the body-camera video while drawing his gun and retreating from Rodriguez.
“Put it down. Put that down,” the officer commands.
Police said Michael Rodriguez was carrying this large fixed-blade knife as he moved toward an officer in Palisades Park. (Santa Monica Police Department)
Rodriguez ignored the warnings and continued advancing with the knife raised above his head, according to police. He then quickened his pace and closed the distance between him and the officer while the officer retreated.
The officer fired one round from his department-issued firearm, striking Rodriguez in the chest.
Officers recovered a second knife from Michael Rodriguez’s pants pocket after the shooting, according to police. (Santa Monica Police Department)
Bodycam video from the second officer shows Rodriguez falling to the ground as the knife drops from his hand.
The officers immediately called for backup and requested emergency medical personnel.
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The third knife recovered from Michael Rodriguez’s backpack is shown beside a measuring tape following the deadly police encounter. (Santa Monica Police Department)
“Officer needs help,” one officer can be heard saying before asking witnesses to remain at the scene.
As police approached Rodriguez and checked him for additional weapons, an officer discovered a second knife in his right pants pocket. Officers also spotted the handle of a third knife sticking out of his backpack, police said.
Investigators described the knife carried during the confrontation as a large, fixed-blade “fighting and utility style” weapon with a clip-point blade, protective hand guard, metal grip and serrations along part of its spine.
Police said officers spotted the handle of a third knife protruding_STA from Michael Rodriguez’s backpack. (Santa Monica Police Department)
Officers immediately began treating Rodriguez, applying gauze and a chest seal to his wound before performing chest compressions.
“Come on, you need to breathe,” an officer can be heard pleading as police continued their lifesaving efforts.
Santa Monica Fire Department personnel later took over medical care and transported Rodriguez to a local hospital. He was pronounced dead in the emergency room at approximately 1:49 p.m.
Rodriguez died from a gunshot wound to the chest, according to the medical examiner, who ruled his death a homicide. The case remains open, according to agency records.
No officers, bystanders or other members of the public were injured.
A lifeguard tower at Will Rogers State Beach, north of Santa Monica, California. (Getty Images)
“Any loss of life is tragic, and we recognize the impact on the family, our officers and our community,” Santa Monica Police Chief Darrick Jacob said.
“Our officers face difficult and dangerous situations every day,” Jacob continued. “When a life is lost during a police encounter, our responsibility to provide a clear and open account is especially important. Releasing this video is an important step in providing that account to our community.”
The Santa Monica Police Department said detectives are conducting a criminal investigation into the shooting. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office will separately review the officer’s use of deadly force, while the police department conducts an internal administrative investigation.
Authorities cautioned that the bodycam video and accompanying briefing reflect preliminary evidence and do not represent final findings or conclusions.