Shooting Erupts After Brawl at Santa Monica Pier

Two people wounded in incident at popular tourist destination

Mar. 16, 2026 at 3:25pm

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Two people were shot and wounded after a large fight broke out at the Santa Monica Pier in California on Sunday night, according to police. Authorities responded to reports of gunfire around 9 p.m. and found two victims with non-life-threatening injuries who were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Why it matters

The Santa Monica Pier is a major tourist attraction, and any violence at such a popular destination raises concerns about public safety. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the altercation that led to the shooting.

The details

Police said a confrontation involving multiple individuals had broken out shortly before the shots were fired. The two victims were struck by gunfire but their identities have not been released. Officials have not yet determined what led to the initial brawl or who was involved.

  • The incident occurred around 9 p.m. on Sunday, March 16, 2026.

The players

Santa Monica Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that responded to the incident and is investigating the shooting.

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What’s next

Police said parts of the pier could be temporarily closed as officers continue investigating the shooting and the events that led up to it.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the need for increased security and safety measures at popular tourist destinations, especially during peak visitation times, to prevent outbreaks of violence that can put the public at risk.