Shooting at CMD Campus: An Update, Grief Counseling Details to Come

With great sadness, I share that at 9:50 p.m. on Monday, October 14, a shooting occurred at the Santa Monica College Center for Media and Design (CMD) on Stewart Street. 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. 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 (SMPD) has requested that the College not disclose the identity of the victim or the suspect.

The investigation by 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. 

As more information becomes available, we will be providing updates through the college’s official X account: @SMC_edu and on the online newsroom at smc.edu.

To help our community through this very difficult time, SMC will be providing heightened in-person and virtual individual and group counseling and mental/emotional health support:

For employees: The college will be bringing in specialized crisis/grief counselors; please monitor your SMC email for details to be shared later today.

• Additionally, the Employee Assistance Service for Education (EASE) provides free, short-term counseling to SMC colleagues who may be facing issues including emotional distress, grief, and more:
• Call 1-800-882-1341 to contact EASE and avail of this free service

• Learn more about EASE on SMC’s dedicated EASE webpage.

For students: The SMC Center for Wellness and Wellbeing provides a range of wellness and psychological services including short-term, confidential counseling:

• Contact the Center to set up an appointment: Please call 310-434-4503 or send an email to cww@smc.edu

• For 24/7 emotional support, students can call 1-800-691-6003

I am grateful for the first responders from Santa Monica Police Department, the Santa Monica College Police Department (SMCPD), Santa Monica Fire Department, and the other emergency responders and medical personnel who provided support.  SMCPD immediately locked down all college facilities.

Here at SMC, we frequently refer to each other as family. At this heartbreaking time, I urge us all to come together in kindness and compassion as we navigate this unspeakable tragedy.

Kathryn E. Jeffery, Ph.D.
Superintendent/President