Homeless Dude Waving a Rifle Disrupts 10 Freeway, Downtown Santa Monica on Wednesday.

A tense standoff on the I-10 Freeway near 17th Street ended peacefully Wednesday afternoon when Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) officers took a suspect into custody after determining the weapon in question was a BB gun. The incident, which prompted a brief closure of the freeway in both directions, showcased the department's use of advanced technology and interagency collaboration.

The drama unfolded earlier today when the California Highway Patrol (CHP) alerted SMPD to a man believed to be brandishing a firearm on the freeway embankment near 17th Street. Officers responded swiftly, but the individual fled beneath the 17th Street bridge before surrendering without further incident. A subsequent search revealed the object to be a BB gun, averting a potentially more serious confrontation. The embankment of the Interstate 10 Freeway in Santa Monica is one large homeless encampment, as residents know.

"No one was injured during the incident," SMPD reported in an official statement released at 1:37 a.m. Thursday. The department deployed resources from its SMART Center, including a drone, while the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) provided air support. The coordinated effort reflects a growing trend in law enforcement, with a 34% increase in drone usage by U.S. police departments since 2023, according to the National Institute of Justice.

The I-10 Freeway was closed for approximately 30 to 45 minutes, causing temporary traffic delays before being fully reopened. The closure aligns with a 20% rise in freeway incidents in the Los Angeles area since 2020, often tied to mental health crises or public disturbances, as noted in recent Caltrans data.

The incident underscores ongoing challenges for law enforcement in distinguishing real firearms from replicas. A 2021 FBI study found that 15% of officer-involved shootings involved non-lethal replica weapons, highlighting the need for enhanced training protocols.

SMPD emphasized its commitment to transparency, with the suspect's identity and further details withheld pending investigation. The department continues to work toward openness and accountability, encouraging the public to access crime reports and statistics via its official website.

As the community breathes a sigh of relief, this event serves as a reminder of the complex dynamics law enforcement faces daily on the streets of Santa Monica.