Man Arrested After Climbing Ferris Wheel Claiming to Have Bomb at Santa Monica Pier

Witnesses overheard the man say he had a bomb in his backpack.

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The Santa Monica Pier in California was evacuated on Monday in response to a man who climbed the Ferris wheel and was believed to be carrying a bomb in his backpack.

Santa Monica Police shared a statement informing people of an individual who, according to witnesses, claimed to be in possession of a bomb. A crisis negotiation team was called to the scene to speak with the unidentified person as he stayed at the center of the 130-foot-tall Pacific Wheel.

The #SantaMonica Pier is closed for police activity.  We have a subject who has climbed onto the Ferris Wheel.  The subject was heard by witnesses saying he has a bomb.  Our officers are currently evacuating Pacific Park and the Pier and our Crisis Negotiation Team is contacting… pic.twitter.com/UTkRVhlcTo

— Santa Monica Police (@SantaMonicaPD) October 9, 2023
Twitter: @SantaMonicaPD

"Out of an abundance of caution, we're going to act as if he does [have a bomb] until we can prove that he doesn't," Lt. Erika Aklufi said, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Here's a close-up look at the man who scaled the Ferris wheel at Pacific Park, prompting an evacuation. Updates: https://t.co/bXKADSsyvq pic.twitter.com/tMJCMUFmB0

— KTLA (@KTLA) October 9, 2023
Twitter: @KTLA

The man was taken into custody after climbing down from the Ferris wheel, ending an incident that lasted less than two hours. In another tweet, authorities wrote that "no bomb or incendiary device was located."

The Santa Monica Pier has since been reopened.

Thank you for your patience. The subject is in custody and no bomb or incendiary device was located. Additional information will be provided once the Pier has been reopened. pic.twitter.com/XuR6ITjjtU

— Santa Monica Police (@SantaMonicaPD) October 9, 2023
Twitter: @SantaMonicaPD

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