31-Year-Old Suspect Arrested After Strangling a West Hollywood Fisherman
A 31-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder after an unprovoked attack on a fisherman in Santa Monica on September 19. Santa Monica Police Department officers responded to a 911 call reporting an assault on the 2000 block of the beach.
The victim, a 28-year-old West Hollywood resident, told officers he was attacked from behind while fishing at the waterline. The assailant, whom he did not know, attempted to strangle him. The victim sustained non-life-threatening neck injuries and was taken to a local hospital for treatment. The suspect fled the scene before police arrived.
Officers, using descriptions from the victim and witnesses, found the suspect nearby. He was identified as John Broeksmit, a 31-year-old homeless man from Illinois. Broeksmit has a history of arrests in California this year, including for public intoxication, possession of a weapon on school grounds, and tampering with a firearm. He was also arrested on September 15 by LAPD for burglary and public intoxication but has no prior felony convictions.
On September 23, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office charged Broeksmit with one count of attempted murder. His bail has been set at $2 million, and he remains in custody.
Anyone with further information is urged to contact Detective Peter Zamfirov at peter.zamfirov@santamonica.gov or the SMPD Watch Commander at (310) 458-8427, available 24 hours a day.
