Cop fatally shoots man who stabbed him outside Santa Monica police station

A Santa Monica police officer has been released from a hospital following a stabbing attack by a man who was subsequently shot to death by the same officer, police said Sunday.

"We are pleased to announce that our officer has been released from the hospital and is now home, focusing on recovery," the Santa Monica Police Department said Sunday afternoon. "We are all grateful for his dedication to protecting our community and will do everything we can to help him and his family through the hard work of recovering from this attack."

The attack occurred at about 5:20 p.m. Saturday outside police headquarters at 333 Olympic Drive, according to Lt. Erika Aklufi.

The officer was standing outside the front door of the station collecting information from a resident about an unrelated call when a man in his 20s confronted him, Aklufi said. The officer told the man he needed to wait while the officer spoke with the other person.

"Without warning, the individual attacked the officer while pulling a knife from his clothing," she said. "The suspect slashed and stabbed the officer. The officer immediately moved away and armed himself with his duty weapon. The suspect followed the officer continuing the knife attack as the wounded officer retreated around the corner of the building where the officer involved shooting occurred."

The officer suffered multiple stab wounds and was taken by patrol car to a hospital for emergency treatment, Police Chief Ramon Batista told reporters at the scene.

Officers rendered medical aid to the suspect until Santa Monica Fire Department paramedics took over and pronounced him dead at the scene, Aklufi said. He was later identified as Deyaa Abdelhadi Halaibeh, 28.

The shooting is under investigation by the SMPD and the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, per policy.