Police Arrest Homeless Suspect in Violent Attack on Multiple Victims at Santa Monica Beach

Santa Monica Police officers and Los Angeles County lifeguards responded to a call of a man attacking multiple people at Santa Monica Beach on Monday, June 24, 2024, at around 9:30 am. The suspect, identified as Jawann Dwayne Garnett, a homeless man from Los Angeles, was located on the shoreline and promptly arrested.

According to one of the victims, the incident began near Lifeguard Tower 13. "I was sitting on the beach and heard screaming coming from Lifeguard Tower 13," the victim recounted. "I approached the situation and saw a man attacking a young woman, trying to rob her. I pushed him off, but he punched me in the face and attacked her again. I tackled him, and he turned his attention towards me, attempting to strangle me and biting my ear."

The ordeal escalated when the attacker moved towards another woman, dragging her into the water and attempting to drown her. A lifeguard intervened, and the police arrived shortly after, arresting the suspect. Firefighter paramedics attended to the victims, while forensic specialists and detectives began their investigation. Potential charges may include kidnapping, assault, elder abuse, and attempted murder.

The Santa Monica Police Department provided additional details on their Instagram page, stating that the individual responsible for the multiple assaults is in custody and facing several felony charges. The incident occurred in the 1300 block of the beach. Three victims, all unrelated, were provided medical attention at the scene, including an elderly female and a bystander who was injured after attempting to intervene. A 17-year-old was transported to a local hospital for treatment of serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Additional information will be provided once the case has been presented to the District Attorney.

On June 26, 2024, the District Attorney filed the following charges against Garnett:
- **Victim 1 (juvenile)**: Attempted murder (664/187(a) PC) and felony child abuse (273(a) PC)
- **Victim 2 (bystander)**: Assault with a deadly weapon likely to produce great bodily injury (245(a)(4) PC) and assault with intent to commit rape (220(a)(1) PC)
- **Victim 3 (elder)**: Attempted murder (664/187(a) PC) and kidnapping (207(a) PC)

Garnett has a significant criminal history in Los Angeles County, including prior arrests for assault with intent to commit rape, false imprisonment, assault with a deadly weapon (firearm), felony domestic violence, misdemeanor domestic violence, theft, trespassing, and failing to register as a sex offender. In December 2021, Garnett was arrested for attempted oral copulation through force and subsequently convicted of assault with intent to commit sexual assault. He is currently on formal probation for this conviction and has been arrested multiple times for probation violations.

Garnett is being held on $1 million bail. Anyone with information related to this incident or this individual is encouraged to contact Detective Lucero at [email protected], Detective Sergeant Goodwin at [email protected], or the Watch Commander at 310-458-8427.

Updates will be provided by the Santa Monica Police Public Information Officer as the situation develops.

27:29 First hand witness description of the event

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Fabian Lewkowicz is a Santa Monica-based photojournalist and press photographer, and the creator of the photo blog, Santa Monica Close Up. With years of experience as a staff photographer for several media outlets including the Santa Monica Daily Press, Santa Monica Mirror, Santa Monica Observer, and the Santa Monica Corsair, Fabian has captured some of the most iconic moments of Santa Monica.

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