# One round on the Santa Monica Pier

> Bodycam video shows how fast a routine call turned into a fatal shooting near a packed beachfront.
- Title: One round on the Santa Monica Pier · California Post
- Summary: Bodycam video shows how fast a routine call turned into a fatal shooting near a packed beachfront. Santa Monica police released the video themselves, with…
- Keywords: police, santa monica, bodycam, officer-involved shooting, california, news, entertainment, One, round, Santa, Monica, Pier
- Source: California Post — https://nypost.com/2026/09/12/us-news/bodycam-footage-shows-knife-wielding-man-charge-at-police-in-santa-monica
- Published: 2026-09-12T18:18:45+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: police, santa monica, bodycam, officer-involved shooting, california, news, entertainment
## A routine call, interrupted
On Aug. 22, two Santa Monica officers were talking to witnesses about an unrelated matter near the crowded pier. Then they spotted a man holding a serrated knife overhead.
## Put that down
Both officers started shouting the same order as the man kept walking at them. They backpedaled instead of closing the distance.

> Put that down!
## One round fired
As the man picked up speed, one officer fired a single shot into his chest. He dropped the knife.
## Then they tried to save him
An officer kicked the knife away from the man and started CPR on the spot. He died later at the hospital.
## Michael Rodriguez, 44
The LA County Medical Examiner identified him as 44-year-old Michael Rodriguez. No officers or bystanders were hurt.
## Three knives, no motive
The blade he carried had a serrated edge like a combat knife. Police found two more on him, one sheathed in his backpack and one in his pocket with a wrapped metal grip. Why he charged is unknown.
## Why the video is public
Chief Darrick Jacob said an open account matters most when a life is lost. A DA review, an internal inquiry and a criminal investigation are all still running.

> When a life is lost during a police encounter, our responsibility to provide a clear and open account is especially important.
## Key takeaway

Santa Monica police released the video themselves, with three separate investigations still open into a shooting that lasted seconds.