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By Lookout Staff

January 25 -- A suspect wanted for attempted murder eluded police during a manhunt that shut down a section of the Pico Neighborhood near Santa Monica College Friday afternoon, police said.

The suspect, who is still at large, is described as a male black in his mid 20s wearing a black hooded sweatshirt.

The suspect is considered “armed and dangerous,” said Lt. Alex Padilla, the Police Department spokesman.

However, Padilla added, “at the time of the pursuit, there was no weapon.”

Santa Monica police and K-9 teams -- backed by LAPD squads -- shut down a four-square-block area bounded by 18th and 20th streets and Pico Boulevard and the 10 Freeway for most of the afternoon.

Three SWAT teams and a helicopter were deployed, according to reports

The suspect, who is wanted for attempted murder in a shooting on the 1800 block of Cloverfield Boulevard last year, evaded police, who searched door-to-door in some areas, police said.

The hunt began at around 1 p.m. when a police officer spotted the suspect on at a liquor store on Pico, according to reports.

When the suspect saw the officer, he fled westbound towards 19th street,” Padilla said.

A perimeter was established and the search was launched, he said.

Residents were not allowed to enter the cordoned-off area until the search was suspended in the early evening, police said.

Anyone with additional information should call the Santa Monica Police Department at 310.458.8427 (24 hours) or Detectives at 310.458.8451 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Those who wish to remain anonymous can call the WeTip hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463).