By Jorge Casuso

October 16, 2024 -- The Santa Monica College (SMC) employee who fatally shot a fellow worker on campus Monday night killed himself during a standoff with police in El Segundo Tuesday afternoon, police officials said.

The suspect, Davon Durell Dean, 39, immediately fled the scene after shooting a female employee at the SMC Center for Media & Design at approximately 9:50 p.m. Monday,according to Santa Monica police.

The victim was transported to a local hospital and remains in critical condition, said Lt. Erika Aklufi, the Police Department spokesperson.

Durrell remained at large overnight and was identified as the suspect by SMPD detectives "after a swift and thorough investigation," Aklufi said.

He had a history of arrests including for attempted murder in 2011 and an assault with a deadly weapon -- a firearm -- in 2019, according to police. His only convictions were for misdemeanor property crimes.

At around 3 p.m. Tuesday, officers with the Hawthorne Police Department located the suspect’s vehicle near El Segundo and Aviation boulevards, police said.

"After a short pursuit, a pursuit intervention technique was used to stop the suspect's vehicle," Aklufi said.

"Despite the efforts of the HawthornePolice Department’s Crisis Negotiations Team, Durrell was found deceased inside his vehicle from a self-inflicted gunshot wound."

SMPD's investigation into Monday night's shooting is ongoing, and "detectives are working to determine the full sequence of events leading to this tragedy," Aklufi said.

"There are no known additional suspects involved and there is no ongoing threat to the public," Aklufi said.

In a statement Tuesday, Police Chief Ramon Batista praised the department's handling of the case.

“I am so proud of our detectives who worked tirelessly throughout the night in collaboration with our partners at the Santa Monica College Police Department to identify and locate the suspect in this tragic incident,” Batista said.

“Our officers’ commitment to the safety of the Santa Monica community is evident and remains paramount.”

All Santa Monica College campuses will remain closed through October 20, according to a notice posted on the school's website.

“As we try to make sense of this horrific act of workplace violence, the safety of our community is our primary focus," SMC Police Chief Johnnie Adams said in a statement Tuesday.

"We are deeply grateful to SMCPD personnel and all our law enforcement partners who worked tirelessly to apprehend the suspect.”

SMC Superintendent/President Dr. Kathryn E. Jeffery said SMC will be providing counseling and mental/emotional support "to help our community through this very difficult time."

“At this heartbreaking time, I urge us all to come together in kindness and compassion as we navigate this unspeakable tragedy.” Jeffery said in a message to the community Tuesday.