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The studios of KCRW were cleared out by authorities responding to the multiple shootings of people on and around the campus at Santa Monica College. According to KCRW news staffers posting on Twitter, the station is airing a CBS feed on the airwaves at 89.9 FM. Afternoon news host Steve Chiotakis has tweeted that he will soon go on the air from the studios of NPR West in Culver City.
3:55 update: KCRW now on the air at 89.9 from NPR West, producer Avishay Artsy says on Twitter.
4:35 update: Santa Monica police chief says as many as six people have died, including the suspected gunman. The shooting began at a home several blocks away in Santa Monica, continued on Pico Boulevard, then moved onto the campus. The suspect was confronted and shot in the library. Two of the dead were shot at 19th Street and Pearl in Santa Monica, one at Pico and Cloverfield.
4:40 update: Media are reporting that a large LAPD SWAT operation near Centinela and Palms in Mar Vista may be related to the Santa Monica shootings. Authorities have asked the media helicopters not to show the scene.
9:30 p.m. update: Santa Monica police revised the number of dead to five including the gunman — they had previously said "as many as six," reported as seven by many media. Four bodies remained at or around Santa Monica College. The fifth victim died at UCLA's medical center. Police said the gunman appeared to be acting alone and that his identity would be confirmed by the coroner before his name was released. A woman who he carjacked was released unharmed. The SWAT activity in Mar Vista was at an address police believed had some connection.
Earlier: KCRW news producer Evan George posted the photo above on Twitter of a body dressed in black on the campus. News reports say the gunman at Santa Monica College was dressed in black. Below: Santa Monica College police clearing KCRW staffers from the master control booth.
Journalists on Twitter also say that, separately, President Obama has left Santa Monica at the conclusion of a Democratic Party fundraiser held several miles from the shooting scenes. Obama was taken to LAX by motorcade, a change from the original plan to fly via helicopter, and has departed en route to Rancho Mirage.
