Santa Monica College employee dies after being shot by another campus worker
SANTA MONICA, Calif. - A Santa Monica College employee is dead after she was shot by another campus worker Monday night.
The shooting of 54-year-old Felicia Hudson occurred around 9:50 p.m. at the Santa Monica College Center for Media & Design at 1660 Stewart Street in Santa Monica, according to a campus-wide alert that was issued.
The shooting of SMC's custodial operations manager led to a major response from Santa Monica Police. Several officers were seen in tactical gear searching the area for a shooter, later identified by SMPD as 39-year-old Davon Durell Dean.
Officials said Dean led police on a lengthy SWAT standoff on Tuesday before he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Shooting victim Felicia Hudson. PHOTO: Santa Monica College
Davon Durell Dean. PHOTO: Santa Monica Police Department
SMPD says Dean has a criminal history that includes allegations of attempted murder in 2011 and allegations of assault with a deadly weapon in 2019. SMPD adds Dean's only convictions were for misdemeanor property crimes.
"We have confirmed that one employee has been shot. Law enforcement is actively searching for a suspect," read the alert on the college’s website earlier Tuesday morning.
Students say the school, and surrounding area, are typically safe.
"It was scary yesterday when I got the call someone was shot," said Coco Melion, a student. "I was wondering if it was someone I knew."
"It is a little scary to see an employee, someone who is innocent, get attacked and almost killed," said Quincy Kassar. "I wasn’t expecting to see this in my 2 years at Santa Monica."
All Santa Monica College campuses, including the main campus at 1900 Pico Blvd and six additional satellite campuses, were closed on Tuesday and classes will be held virtually through Sunday, Oct. 20.
A "legacy" fundraiser has since been set up by SMC for Hudson. Those looking to donate can click here for more information.
Investigators later said they believe the shooting was an isolated incident and there is no information indicating a threat to the community.
"The victim of this horrific act of violence is a long-time SMC employee who is currently in critical condition at a local area hospital," college Superintendent and President Kathryn Jeffery said in a statement a day before announcing Hudson's death.
"The College is united in sending love and support to the victim's family, friends, and loved ones. Because this is an ongoing investigation, the Santa Monica Police Department has requested that the College not disclose the identity of the victim or the suspect," Jeffery continued, prior to Durell's name being revealed as the suspect. "The investigation by the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) is ongoing. What we know so far is that last night, SMPD responded promptly to reports of shots fired at the CMD campus, with Santa Monica College Police Department and Santa Monica Fire Department personnel arriving swiftly to render aid. The assailant remains at large."
"As we informed SMC employees and students last night, all college classes and events are canceled on Tuesday, October 15; all SMC employees are released from work as the investigation continues and the college responds to this tragic event."
Jeffery said the school will be providing "heightened in-person and virtual individual and group counseling and mental/emotional health support." Employees can call 800-882-1341 to contact the Employee Assistance Service for Education program, which provides free, short-term counseling to SMC employees who may be experiencing emotional distress.
City News Service contributed to this report.