A police response to reports of a man chasing a woman spiraled into a deadly confrontation when an unrelated knife-wielding man charged an officer through a crowded seaside park in California, chilling new bodycam video shows.The tense encounter unfolded Aug.22 as Santa Monica Police Department officers investigated a report of a man chasing a woman near the Broadway stairs, according to a newly released critical incident briefing.The man killed in the confrontation was identified by the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner as 44-year-old Michael Rodriguez.BODYCAM SHOWS LOS ANGELES COUNTY DEPUTY STABBED SECONDS AFTER ARRIVING AT KNIFE ATTACKBodycam video shows Michael Rodriguez approaching a Santa Monica police officer with a knife raised in Palisades Park on Aug.
22, 2026.(Santa Monica Police Department)Two uniformed officers responded to Broadway and Ocean Avenue at approximately 12:30 p.m.
before speaking with witnesses in the 1400 block of Palisades Park.The popular oceanfront park was crowded with pedestrians, visitors and vendors that Saturday afternoon when officers spotted Rodriguez, who was unrelated to the original call, holding a large knife above his head and moving toward an officer and several bystanders, police said.NYPD OFFICERS FATALLY SHOOT MAN ARMED WITH BUTCHER KNIFE AFTER HE ADVANCED TOWARD COPS: POLICEMichael Rodriguez continued advancing with a large knife despite repeated commands to drop it, police said.(Santa Monica Police Department)"Hey, put that down," an officer can be heard repeatedly shouting as he draws his gun and backs away from Rodriguez."Put it down.
Put that down," the officer commands.CHICAGO OFFICERS WOUNDED IN TRAFFIC STOP SHOOTOUT AS HOLIDAY WEEKEND LEAVES 3 DEAD, 16 INJUREDPolice said Michael Rodriguez carried this large fixed-blade knife as he advanced toward an officer in Palisades Park.(Santa Monica Police Department)Rodriguez ignored the warnings and continued advancing with the knife raised above his h...