INSIDE
SMFD Adds Provider Unit to Cut ER Transports, Expand Coverage for 911 Calls smmirror.com
February 20 – February 26, 2026 Volume CXXIII Issue 214
See Page 4
Santa Monica Police respond to fatal shooting at Ocean Avenue complex
Welfare check leads to grim discovery, no ongoing public threat reported.
Two people were found dead Saturday morning inside a Santa Monica apartment during a welfare check, and investigators are treating the case as a suspected murdersuicide, authorities said. Officers with the Santa Monica Police Department responded around 7:15 a.m. Feb. 7 to a residential complex in the 1900 block of Ocean Avenue after a family member reported being unable to reach the occupants for several days. With assistance from building management, officers entered the unit
after receiving no response. Inside, they discovered the bodies of a 54-year-old man and a 54-year-old woman. Both had apparent gunshot wounds, and a firearm was recovered from the residence. Police said the individuals were in an advanced state of decomposition. Detectives from the department’s Criminal Investigations Division are leading the inquiry. Based on preliminary findings, investigators believe the deaths were the result of a murder-suicide. Authorities said the two individuals were known to each other and that no additional suspects are being sought. Police described the incident as isolated and said there is no ongoing threat to the public. The names of the deceased are being withheld pending official identification and notification of next of kin by the Los
Angeles County Medical Examiner. Anyone with information related to the case is asked to contact Detective Esteban Hernandez at esteban.hernandez@
santamonica.gov or call the Santa Monica Police Department Watch Commander at 310-458-8427.
Santa Monica College Board approves elimination of more than 70 Positions amid budget shortfall
Trustees vote to cut 57 classified roles, 9.5 administrative posts, and several management positions
Facing budget shortfalls and reduced workload, the Santa Monica Community College District Board of Trustees voted Feb. 3 to eliminate dozens of classified and administrative positions beginning with the 2026–27 academic year. The board approved two resolutions authorizing reductions in staff due to what it described as a lack of work and lack of funds, citing provisions in the California Education Code that allow districts to discontinue services and terminate affected employees. Under the first resolution, the district will reduce or eliminate 57 full-time equivalent classified positions across multiple departments, including Academic Affairs, Business Services, Student Success and Human Resources. The affected roles range from administrative assistants
and accountants to custodians, grounds workers, instructional tutors, technology staff and public safety personnel. An additional 9.5 full-time equivalent classified administrative positions will also be cut. Those include roles in facilities, information technology, campus police and student services. District officials said employees whose positions are eliminated will receive formal notification in accordance with state law. Affected staff will also be informed of their seniority status, displacement rights, voluntary demotion options and reemployment rights, and will have the opportunity to meet with administrators to discuss next steps. In a separate action, the board approved a second resolution to reduce certain educational administrator positions through non-renewal of one-year employment agreements and by abolishing vacant management roles. Four administrators will receive notices that their contracts will not be renewed effective June 30, 2026. The positions include associate dean of student instructional support, director of outreach and onboarding initiatives, project manager for CalFresh and project manager for grants, totaling 3.8 full-time equivalent positions.
The board also voted to eliminate several vacant academic management posts, including dean of academic affairs, vice president of enrollment development, dean of special programs and associate dean emeritus.
Trustees stated the actions were taken to reduce expenses and align staffing levels with current fiscal conditions. Notices to affected administrators must be issued on or before March 15, 2026, as required under state law.