Byrna Helps Former Pro Racer Stop Violent Attack in Santa Monica

Santa Monica is one of the most beautiful places in the world—just steps from the beach. But like many coastal cities, it also has a growing challenge with unhoused individuals living in alleys and side streets. For Cort Wagner—a former professional racecar driver turned real estate finance and exotic car specialist—that challenge suddenly became very real.

It was around 8:30 p.m. when Cort pulled into the alley leading to his parking garage. Just outside the entrance, a man sat on a discarded mattress, screaming obscenities and threatening to kill people. Cort sent his wife and child upstairs, then grabbed his Byrna launcher from the glovebox.

“I said, ‘Hey, dude, can you just take it up the street?’” Cort recalls. “But he jumped up and lunged at me with a sharp object.”

With his family only 20 feet behind him, Cort had no choice. He raised his Byrna and fired five rounds. The man staggered back, yelling, “What did you hit me with? Did you shoot me?” before grabbing his belongings and fleeing up the alley.

Cort’s son immediately called 911. Within minutes, multiple police units and a K9 team arrived on the scene. Officers examined Cort’s Byrna and were impressed: “That’s cool—what is it?” one remarked.

Soon after, police apprehended a suspect nearby. At first, Cort wasn’t 100% sure it was the same man—his clothing looked slightly different. But then Cort told officers, “Check his stomach. I hit him with a few rounds. There should be marks.” Sure enough, they lifted the man’s shirt and found three large welts across his torso.

That evidence sealed it. Officers cuffed the suspect and placed him under arrest.

Looking back, Cort says he feels fortunate:

“I hadn’t touched my Byrna in years—it was just sitting in the glove compartment. But when I needed it, it worked flawlessly. It probably saved me and my family.”

This incident is a powerful reminder of why so many people keep a Byrna in their car, home, or on their person. It provides real protection when it matters most—without taking a life.