Santa Monica College suspect shot to death after barricade in Hawthorne, Calif., police confirm

SANTA MONICA, California — A Santa Monica College employee shot and seriously injured a co-worker Monday, then died of a self-inflicted gunshot a day later when authorities caught up with him in Hawthorne, officials said.

On Tuesday evening, authorities identified the deceased suspect as Davon Durell Dean, 39, an SMC employee with previous arrests – but not convictions – for violent incidents.

The first shooting happened shortly before 10 p.m. Monday at the college’s Media and Design Center on Stewart Street, according to the school.

The victim, a detention operations official whose name has not been released, was hospitalized in critical condition.

College Police Chief Johnnie Adams said the shooting was a “horrific act of workplace violence” and not a random act.

Santa Monica Police detectives were able to identify Dean as the shooter. Tuesday afternoon, Hawthorne police officers spotted Dean’s vehicle in the area near El Segundo Boulevard and Aviation Boulevard.

After a short chase, officers used a PIT maneuver to stop his car. A barricade situation ensued and at one point, Dean turned the gun on himself, according to police.

The SWAT officers continued to maintain a cautious stance after his weapon was fired. They remained in the armored SWAT vehicle and pulled out a long tool to break the window and remove the weapon before attempting to confirm the suspect was deceased.

Santa Monica police say Dean was arrested for attempted murder in 2011 and assault with a deadly weapon, a firearm, in 2019. However, he only has property crime convictions on his record. , according to police.

All seven Santa Monica College campuses were closed Tuesday as a precaution.

“To help our community through this very difficult time, SMC will provide…counseling and mental/emotional support,” SMC Superintendent/President Dr. Kathryn E. Jeffery said in a message to the community school. “In this heartbreaking time, I urge us all to come together in kindness and compassion as we navigate this unspeakable tragedy.”

Local residents said that while they were disturbed by the incident, they did not necessarily feel a sense of increased danger in the neighborhood.

“What happened here is obviously a tragedy wherever it happens,” said one local resident. “But living in the neighborhood and being a neighbor and walking around this neighborhood regularly, I always feel safe. I never feel unsafe. I don’t think this will change that.”