(Written by an American expat living in the European Union)
This diary is a live blog of the Santa Monica college shooting. Updates will be made available as events occur. There are multiple shooting victims. One of whom is indicated to be in serious condition. The condition of the other shooting victims is unknown at this time, although it was reported at 4:56PM (PST) by LA Times that the death count had risen to seven. As details emerge, this live blog will continue to be updated by the diarist, as well as by posters in the comment section.
What follows below is the account of how the shooting tragedy at Santa Monica college unfolded today.
UPDATE: It should also be noted in a nearby burnt out house at 3PM PST, it was reported by CNN that two people were found shot to death inside the burnt out ruin of the house which is said to be in close proximity to the Santa Monica College campus. It isn't presently clear if this is related to the campus shooting but the descriptions of the suspect in question are the same as the description of the campus shooter.
UPDATE: 3.46PM PST, CNN updates a third transit bus shooting has taken place in the nearby vicinity of Santa Monica College. Several people are believed to be injured. It is not at present known if all 3 shootings are related.
UPDATE: 3.50PM PST. CNN reports that President Obama was located 10 minutes from the shooting in Santa Monica when the first incident occurred. This however is believed to be a complete coincidence as reported by CNN's Wolf Blitzer.
Update: Please note at 2.40PM PST, a suspected gunman has been taken into custody. It is however believed that at least one other gunman is still at large. People in the Santa Monica area of the shooting are being advised by police urgently to shelter in place.
LA TIMES: Three people shot at Santa Monica College; suspect in custody
June 7, 2013, 12:53 p.m.
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.
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Eye witness reports aired by CNN (1.45 PST time) show there is a second active shooter being sought by police. The first active shooter description is a white male dressed in black with dreadlocks. Second shooter is being sought by police presently.
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CBS/AP/ June 7, 2013, 3:47 PM
Shots fired, suspect down at Santa Monica College
Updated at 4:26 p.m. ET
SANTA MONICA, Calif.
Santa Monica College was put on lockdown Friday after a shooting was reported in the school's library, reports CBS Los Angeles.
Someone fired gunshots near the campus of Santa Monica College shortly before noon Friday, police said, and several people were reported to be wounded. KCLA-9 reported three people were taken to hospital, two listed in critical condition.
http://www.cbsnews.com/...
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As the second active shooter is being sought by police, there are no reports as to the motive of the gunman, nor are there any updates as to whether either of them presently are in custody. It is believed at least one suspect is in custody and the second suspect gunman is at large and the public is therefore in danger. Please refer to the comment section for reader updates on this live blog in this breaking news story.
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UPDATE:
CBS/AP/ June 7, 2013, 5:11 PM
Santa Monica College shooting wounds bystanders
Updated at 5:11 p.m. ET
SANTA MONICA, Calif. Multiple people were wounded after a shooting at Santa Monica College in Southern California Friday.............
Meanwhile, two people were found dead in a burned home near the college campus. Jeff Furrows of the Santa Monica Fire Department said there was extensive fire damage inside the nearby home. A woman also was found with a gunshot wound in a car outside the burned home, he said.
http://www.cbsnews.com/...
LA TIMES: Santa Monica shooting: two dead, six transported to hospitals
June 7, 2013, 2:32 p.m.
At least six people were transported to hospitals in the wake of the shooting and crime spree in the Santa Monica College area. Two bodies were found inside a home near campus that the gunman allegedly set on fire, law enforcement source said.
http://www.latimes.com/...
UPDATE: 4.45PM PST Time
(CNN) Police: As many as 6 dead in S. California shootings
A "person of interest" is in custody in Santa Monica, California, in connection with a shooting rampage on Friday, city Police Chief Jacqueline Seabrooks told reporters. She did not specify why authorities wanted to talk to the man.
http://edition.cnn.com/...
UPDATE: 4:56PM PST Time
LA TIMES: 7 dead in Santa Monica College shooting, gunman may have had help
Authorities shot and killed the gunman on campus. He has not yet been identified, but police described him as being 25 to 30 years old.
They have detained a second man, who has not been identified. He is considered a person of interest.
http://www.latimes.com/...
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(As I am reporting from Germany, please let me add that the German mainstream magazine Der Spiegel reported that in 2011, 85 shots were fired by German police, half of which were warning shots, this in a nation of 83 million people. Whatever side of the gun debate you may be on, we should all be able to agree that more can, should and must be done to protect the American public from firearm violence.)
The Atlantic Wire – Thu, May 10, 2012: German Police Used Only 85 Bullets Against People in 2011
According to Germany's Der Spiegel, German police shot only 85 bullets in all of 2011, a stark reminder that not every country is as gun-crazy as the U.S. of A.......most of those shots weren't even aimed anyone: "49 warning shots, 36 shots on suspects. 15 persons were injured, 6 were killed."
http://news.yahoo.com/...
Here is another diary that I wrote which was written on this subject of gun violence in America that deserves your attention. Thank you for your support.
The Christmas Truce of 1914 moves to 2012 Newtown's tragedy to unite the world
http://www.dailykos.com/...
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Please tell our readers how you feel about gun violence in America and the breaking news story of the Santa Monica college shooting (as it has become known as).