By Jorge Casuso

June 9, 2023 -- A former custodian for the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) fatally shot himself early Monday morning during a standoff with Santa Monica police who were attempting to serve him with an arrest warrant, police officials said.

Detectives with the Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division showed up at a residence in the 800 block of E. 65th Street in Inglewood at around 5 a.m., said SMPD spokesperson Lt. Erika Aklufi.

The warrants had been issued by a Los Angeles County judge for the arrest of Arthur Isaac, 26, who was wanted for two violent felonies, one committed in the City of Inglewood and the other in Santa Monica, Aklufi said.

"Because the suspect was wanted for violent crimes, SMPD detectives coordinated with the department’s tactical team and Crisis Negotiation Team to serve the warrants," she said.

"Officers negotiated with Isaac for over two hours, trying to get him to exit the location peaceably," Aklufi said. "SWAT officers eventually entered the location and found Isaac deceased; the cause appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound."

According to court records, Isaac faced charges of domestic abuse, violating a restraining order and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

The charges -- filed on June 2 -- stemmed from incidents that took place on May 7, according to court records.

Issac last worked for the District in August, said SMMUSD spokesperson Gail Pinsker.

"We fingerprint and do background checks," she said. "I'm not aware of anything."

The Los Angeles County Coroner will be responsible for the death
investigation, Aklufi said.