Bodycam footage released by Santa Monica police shows a deadly Aug. 22 confrontation in Palisades Park after officers encountered 44-year-old Michael Rodriguez carrying a large fixed-blade knife. Rodriguez advanced on an officer despite repeated commands to drop the weapon; the officer fired one round, striking him in the chest. Officers recovered two additional knives, provided immediate medical aid, and Rodriguez was later pronounced dead at the hospital. The death was ruled a homicide and criminal, prosecutorial and internal reviews are ongoing.
Bodycam Shows Knife-Wielding Man Charge Officer in Crowded Santa Monica Park; One Fatal Shot
Bodycam video shows Michael Rodriguez approaching a Santa Monica police officer with a knife raised in Palisades Park on Aug. 22, 2026.
Body-worn camera footage released by the Santa Monica Police Department shows a confrontation on Aug. 22 in Palisades Park that ended when a single officer fired one round, striking a man who advanced on police while holding a large knife.
Michael Rodriguez continued advancing with a large knife despite repeated commands to drop it, police said.
What Happened
Officers had responded at about 12:30 p.m. to reports of a man chasing a woman near the Broadway stairs. While speaking with witnesses in the 1400 block of Palisades Park, the officers observed an unrelated man — later identified by the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner as 44-year-old Michael Rodriguez — carrying a large fixed-blade knife and moving toward an officer and bystanders.
Police said Michael Rodriguez carried this large fixed-blade knife as he advanced toward an officer in Palisades Park.
Bodycam video shows Rodriguez with the knife raised above his head as officers repeatedly ordered him to drop the weapon. One officer can be heard shouting, "Put it down. Put that down," while drawing his service weapon and backing away. According to police, Rodriguez ignored commands, quickened his pace and continued to advance.
Officers recovered a second knife from Michael Rodriguez's pants pocket after the shooting, according to police.
"Put it down. Put that down."
The officer fired one round from his department-issued firearm, striking Rodriguez in the chest. Bodycam footage from a second officer captures Rodriguez collapsing and the knife falling from his hand.
The third knife recovered from Michael Rodriguez's backpack is shown beside a measuring tape following the deadly police encounter.
Aftermath and Investigation
Officers recovered two additional knives — one from Rodriguez's right pants pocket and the handle of a third protruding from his backpack. Responding officers began lifesaving measures at the scene, applying gauze and a chest seal and performing chest compressions. Santa Monica Fire Department personnel assumed care and transported Rodriguez to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead at approximately 1:49 p.m.
Police said officers spotted the handle of a third knife protruding_STA from Michael Rodriguez's backpack.
The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner ruled the cause of death a gunshot wound to the chest and classified the manner as a homicide. No officers, bystanders or other members of the public were reported injured in the incident.
A lifeguard tower at Will Rogers State Beach, north of Santa Monica, California.
Santa Monica Police Chief Darrick Jacob said: "Any loss of life is tragic, and we recognize the impact on the family, our officers and our community. Our officers face difficult and dangerous situations every day. 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."
Detectives with the Santa Monica Police Department are conducting a criminal investigation. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office will separately review the officer's use of deadly force, and SMPD is carrying out an internal administrative inquiry. Authorities cautioned that the released bodycam footage and department briefing reflect preliminary evidence and do not represent final findings or conclusions.
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