Standoff near LAX linked to shooting of Santa Monica College employee

The gunman who shot and killed a longtime Santa Monica College employee is dead after a chase that ended in a standoff in El Segundo, according to the Santa Monica Police Department.

According to police, 39-year-old Davon Durell Dean, a Santa Monica College employee, shot and killed his colleague on campus Monday evening. The victim, whose name was not released, was hospitalized in critical condition. Dean fled the scene after the shooting, authorities said.

The suspect’s car was located in El Segundo around 3 p.m. on Tuesday. After a short chase, police performed a PIT maneuver on Dean’s car and were able to stop the vehicle. A standoff then ensued, resulting in the suspect being found dead in his car from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said.

Due to the standoff, access to Aviation Boulevard was closed between 124th Street and El Segundo Boulevard. NewsChopper 4 was over the scene where at least four patrol cars and three armored vehicles were blocked by a black sedan.

Authorities did not say when the road would reopen.

Following the campus shooting, Santa Monica College said counseling and mental/emotional support services would be offered to affected students and faculty. A motive for the shooting was not revealed.