Suspect in deadly Santa Monica shooting apprehended; identified as homeless woman

A woman suspected of shooting and killing a man in Santa Monica Thursday morning has been arrested and identified as a 27-year-old homeless woman.

Police say Kayla Denise Mackey was arrested Friday morning in West Los Angeles.

She’s been identified as the suspect in the killing of Edward Williams III, a 46-year-old Los Angeles man who was shot in his vehicle on the 2600 block of 29th Street around 10:30 a.m.

Witnesses said Williams was badly bleeding before paramedics arrived on scene to take him to a nearby hospital. He was pronounced dead later that afternoon.

The suspect in the shooting was identified as a woman and witnesses said there may have been some type of argument that preceded the shooting.

Shots were fired and the suspect fled the scene and evaded capture overnight despite heavy police presence throughout the area into the late evening.

The Santa Monica Police Department said witness descriptions were crucial in helping detectives identify Mackey as the suspect and determine her location.

Police are still working to determine a possible motive for the shooting.

A GoFundMe page to help the victim’s family with funeral expenses can be found here.

Anyone with information is urged to email either SMPD Detective George Burciaga or Detective Sergeant Ryan Gradle. Phone calls can be direct to the Police Department watch commander 24 hours a day at 310-458-8427.

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