Santa Monica police released body camera and surveillance video on Thursday showing a knife-wielding man attacking an officer outside the front door of the police station.
The incident unfolded the evening of Oct. 5 when, according to police, Deyaa Abdelhadi Halaibeh, 28, first assaulted an employee at the Target store on 420 Broadway and ran away with a knife set.
Halaibeh then walked a short distance to the police station on Olympic Drive, where he rang the call button to speak to an officer, security video shows.
An officer opened the door to the courtyard and immediately encountered Halaibeh, with his right hand tucked inside his jacket, standing near two other people who were also waiting to speak to police.
“What’s in your jacket? I’m kind of nervous with your hand in your jacket like that,” the officer asked.
Halaibeh, who appeared agitated, responded by asking, “You’re nervous?” and immediately pulled out a knife and slashed at the officer.
