SMPD reports tragic shooting on SMC campus

SANTA MONICA – On October 15, the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) issued a press release confirming a shooting that occurred on Monday, October 16, at the Center for Media & Design (CMD) at Santa Monica College ( SMC) at 1660 Stewart Street 14. around 9:50 p.m. An SMC depot manager was critically injured in the shooting.

SMPD, SMCPD and the Santa Monica Fire Department (SMFD) responded to a shooting call. They were able to provide assistance quickly and secure the area. The victim was transported to an area hospital in critical condition.

The suspect, later identified as Davon Durrell Dean, 39, initially fled the scene and remained at large overnight. He was an SMC employee with an extensive criminal history, including attempted murder in 2011 and assault with a deadly weapon in 2019, although he was never convicted of more than one misdemeanor.

The following is taken directly from the SMPD press release.

“Today, October 15, at approximately 3:00 p.m., Hawthorne Police Department officers located the suspect’s vehicle near El Segundo Blvd. and Aviation Blvd.

After a short chase, the suspect’s vehicle was stopped using a pursuit intervention technique. Despite the efforts of the Hawthorne Police Department’s Crisis Negotiation Team, Durrell was found dead in his vehicle from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The Los Angeles County Coroner will respond.

The investigation is ongoing and investigators are working to determine the full sequence of events that led to this tragedy. There are no other suspects known and there is no ongoing threat to the public. “

“I am so proud of our detectives who, in collaboration with our partners at the Santa Monica College Police Department, worked tirelessly throughout the night to identify and locate the suspect in this tragic incident. Our officers’ commitment to the safety of the Santa Monica community is evident and remains paramount,” said Police Chief Batista.