Suspect dead in Santa Monica College workplace shooting: Police

The suspect in a shooting at a California college Monday, which left an employee critically injured, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound after being surrounded by police, authorities said.

The initial shooting occurred at the Center for Media and Design, a Santa Monica College satellite campus, in Santa Monica shortly before 10 p.m. local time Monday, according to authorities. The employee who was wounded in the shooting was a custodial operations manager, police said in an update on Tuesday evening.

The suspected shooter, identified as 39-year-old Davon Durrell Dean, was also a college employee, according to Santa Monica police. He fled the scene of the shooting Monday and remained at large overnight. Around 3 p.m. Tuesday, police spotted his vehicle in the town of Hawthorne -- about 12 miles to the south of the Santa Monica.

A short car chase involving officers with the Hawthorne Police Department ensued before Dean's vehicle was boxed in by police to stop him.

"Despite the efforts of the Hawthorne Police Department's Crisis Negotiations Team, Dean was found deceased inside his vehicle from a self-inflicted gunshot wound," Santa Monica police said in a post Tuesday evening on the social media platform X.

Police are investigating the sequence of events surrounding the shooting but noted that there is no ongoing threat to the public.

Dean was previously arrested on an attempted murder charge in 2011 and assault with a deadly weapon involving a firearm in 2019, but was not convicted, according to police.

The college shooting was described as "a workplace violence incident, not a random act," Santa Monica College Chief of Police Johnnie Adams said in a statement.

The employee was transported to a local hospital in critical condition, according to Adams.

The victim is a long-time employee of the college, according to Santa Monica College President Kathryn Jeffery.

"The College is united in sending love and support to the victim's family, friends, and loved ones," Jeffery said in a statement, calling the incident an "unspeakable tragedy."

All Santa Monica College campuses were closed on Tuesday "to prioritize the safety and well-being of our community," Adams said.

"Santa Monica College remains committed to maintaining a safe environment for all employees and students," he said.

The Santa Monica Police Department said it will be providing extra patrols around schools on Tuesday.