Santa Monica College Custodial Manager Fatally Shot in Workplace

Santa Monica, California— A custodial operations manager at Santa Monica College (SMC) died Wednesday following a shooting incident that took place Monday night at a branch facility, prompting a campus-wide closure and an extensive manhunt for the suspect.

Felicia Hudson, 54, who had been with the college for nearly 30 years, was shot around 9:50 p.m. Monday at the SMC Center for Media & Design, located in the 1600 block of Stewart Street, between Olympic Boulevard and Colorado Avenue, according to Santa Monica Police Department officials. 

The suspect in the shooting, identified as 39-year-old SMC custodian Davon Durell Dean, was found dead Tuesday afternoon from a self-inflicted gunshot wound following a brief police pursuit. Police responded to the shooting Monday night and quickly identified the case as one of “workplace violence,” though the exact motive remains undisclosed.

Authorities located Dean in his vehicle Tuesday around 3 p.m. near El Segundo and Aviation boulevards in Hawthorne. A brief pursuit ended when police executed a PIT (Pursuit Intervention Technique) maneuver to stop the suspect’s vehicle. 

Despite negotiations by the Hawthorne Police Department’s Crisis Negotiations Team, officers discovered Dean had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound inside the vehicle. In an official statement Wednesday night, SMC Superintendent/President Kathryn E. Jeffery expressed the college’s grief and shock over the loss of Hudson.

In 2011, Dean was arrested for attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon in 2019, although he only had convictions for misdemeanors related to property crimes.

“We are deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic loss of our colleague Felicia Hudson, who served the college for nearly three decades with dedication and heart. She took great pride in being a steadfast coworker and leader,” Jeffery said. “To Felicia’s family, loved ones, and friends, SMC extends our heartfelt condolences and prayers. The college will conduct a thorough review of this incident and is offering crisis counseling services to employees and students as we mourn the loss of our irreplaceable colleague.”

The Santa Monica College Foundation has established a legacy fund in Hudson’s honor, in collaboration with her family. Those interested in contributing can find more information at foundation.smc.edu/felicia-hudson.