Three people shot at Santa Monica College; suspect in custody

June 07, 2013|By Andrew Blankstein and Robert Faturechi

Santa Monica College was on lockdown after three people were shot inside a car in or near the campus and police detained the alleged gunman, according to law enforcement sources.

President Obama was in the area for a fundraiser at the time, but sources said the shooting appears to be unrelated to his visit.

Details about the incident were not immediately available. But the sources said the suspect was detained inside the college's library. It was unclear whether the suspect was wounded.

PHOTOS: Shooting at Santa Monica College

Police sources told The Times the three victims were shot inside a car either on the campus or near the campus. Their conditions were unknown.

A staff member at the college superintendent’s office said the whole campus was being placed on lockdown, including her office -- which she said was off-site.

“We’ve been told that there was a shooting,” said the employee, Lety Kilian said.

Santa Monica College sent out the following statement:

There have been reports of a shooter on the main SMC campus. The college is on lock-down. This means that if you are on campus, stay out of open spaces, stay in doors, lock all doors and do not open the doors until you receive an all clear from college officials. If you are off campus, do Not come to campus.

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