Person Scales Santa Monica Pier Ferris Wheel, Claiming to Have a Bomb

A suspect is in custody after he allegedly scaled the Ferris wheel at Santa Monica Pier, claiming to have a bomb, according to authorities.

Santa Monica Police said on X that the Crisis Negotiation Team was called to the pier to deal with a "person in crisis." The person was seen scaling the Ferris wheel and claiming to have a bomb. The pier was closed for police activity.

Individuals on the Ferris wheel are being evacuated by the Santa Monica Fire Department.

Another X post shared images of the person on the Ferris wheel.

In another post, police asked media helicopters to fly at higher altitudes so the negotiation team could hear the person.

Police told KTLA that the man seemed to be having a mental health crisis, and it appeared that no crimes had been committed.

Officials told people to avoid the area as they wrap up their investigation.