By Lookout Staff

July 21, 2026 -- Santa Monica police detectives are investigating a fatal shooting near the Pier shortly after midnight Sunday as the suspect or suspects remain at large.

The shooting appears to have stemmed from a physical altercation between two groups, according to a preliminary investigation by SMPD detectives, officials said.

Police officers responded at around 12:30 a.m. to a report of a possible shooting in Parking Lot 1 North, at 1550 Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) just north of the pier, police officials said.

The officers found an adult "suffering from multiple gunshot wounds," said Lt. Lewis Gilmour, the Police Department spokesman.

The victim -- whose identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin -- was pronounced dead at the scene "despite life-saving efforts," Gilmour said.

"The preliminary investigation indicates that a physical altercation occurred between two groups prior to the shooting," he said. "The circumstances leading up to the incident remain under investigation."

"The suspect or suspects remain outstanding," Gilmour said, adding that "there is no additional suspect information available for release at this time."

The incident took place after Santa Monica hosted COAST -- Southern California's largest open streets festival -- to celebrate the World Cup final match between Argentina and Spain.

The festival, which took place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., encompassed more than a mile of Downtown Santa Monica, including Ocean, Colorado and Arizona avenues, the Third Street Promenade and the Pier.

The shooting remains an active and ongoing investigation, police officials said.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information should contact the Santa Monica Police Department at 310-458-8491. Additional information will be released as it becomes available, officials said.