Overview
- A man was found with multiple gunshot wounds in Parking Lot 1 North beside the Santa Monica Pier and was pronounced dead after a shooting that occurred early Monday, the victim was later identified as 24-year-old Edgar Buitimea.
- Detectives identified a 16-year-old visiting from Las Vegas as the suspected shooter and the teen turned himself in to police, was taken into custody and transferred to Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall.
- Police say a verbal argument between two groups escalated into a physical fight and that the suspect is accused of firing multiple shots from a handgun during the confrontation.
- The case has been referred to the L.A. County district attorney’s office for filing consideration under California law that starts murder cases for 16-year-olds in juvenile court but allows prosecutors to petition for adult transfer.
- Santa Monica police are continuing their investigation, urging witnesses to come forward, and city leaders say the shooting raises fresh concerns about safety at the heavily visited pier after large World Cup watch-party crowds earlier that night.