The young suspect in the Las Vegas Santa Monica Pier shooting is holding himself accountable
A 16-year-old Las Vegas boy has turned himself in after being identified as the suspected gunman in a shooting that left a man dead near the Santa Monica Pier, authorities said.
Around 12:30 a.m. Monday, shots were fired in the parking lot near the pool, Parking Lot 1 North, where police found a man with gunshot wounds, the Santa Monica Police Department said in a news release.
The victim was Edgar Buitimea, 24, according to the LA County medical examiner.
Hours before the shooting, the city center and surrounding area were flooded with hundreds of tourists and residents attending events to watch the World Cup final.
Later that night, the suspect, who was visiting Santa Monica with family, went alone to a fishing spot, where he met a group of friends, according to police.
The police said that the suspect's friends got into an argument with another group of people until they got into an argument. The suspect, who has not been identified due to his juvenile status, is accused of shooting multiple times while holding a gun.
First responders attempted to revive Buitimea, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Detectives then identified the suspect, who walked into the Santa Monica Police Department station and turned himself in Tuesday night, police said.
He was arrested and transferred to Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall, where he is being held. His case will be forwarded to the LA County District Attorney's office for review.
Under California law, murder charges against 16-year-old suspects must be filed in juvenile court; however, prosecutors can petition the judge to refer the case to adult court.
“Violence of any kind has no place in our community,” Santa Monica Police Chief Darrick Jacob said in a statement. “Although there is no substitute for a life lost, the quick action of our detectives led to the suspect being safely taken into custody.”
Jacob said the department's work is not finished, he said the fishing area is one of the most visited places in the city and the department is committed to keeping it safe for tourists, businessmen and residents.
The pier receives an average of 27,000 to 38,000 visitors per day, which translates to more than 10 million visitors per year, according to Pacific Park. The popular resort has seen several recent incidents of violence.
In March, a riot between people on the street escalated into a shootout that left two people with non-life threatening injuries. In January, police arrested a suspect in a fishing area after he tried to stab a passerby. And in September 2025, an employee of a restaurant near the pier was stabbed multiple times while sitting on the steps at the foot of the pier.
Detectives continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Monday's shooting, and any witnesses or people with information about the incident are encouraged to contact the Santa Monica Police Department at (310) 458-8491.
