Sheriff's Deputies Shoot Armed Suspect During Domestic Disturbance Call

Goleta - March 6th, 2008

At approximately 7:50 am on March 6, 2008, Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance at 4621 Via Gennita, Santa Barbara.  While en-route, deputies were advised that the male subject was possibly armed with a handgun.  The nature of the disturbance was unclear.

 
Deputies arrived on scene within several minutes.  They quickly located the suspect on the back porch of the residence.  The suspect confronted deputies with a firearm in his hand.  Deputies ordered the suspect to drop the gun several times.  The suspect ignored the demands of the deputies and walked back into the residence.  The suspect emerged from the residence still armed with the handgun.  During the brief standoff with deputies, the suspect again confronted the deputies with his handgun.  Deputies fired on the suspect, striking him several times.   

Rescue personnel were immediately summoned to the scene.  The suspect was transported by paramedics to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital where he was taken into surgery.  He later succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.  The suspect has been identified as 64 year old Donald George (9-16-43).   
The circumstances surrounding the incident are currently under investigation.  Several concurrent investigations are taking place; the criminal investigation into the circumstances leading up the shooting and an administrative investigation assuring the actions of the deputies was according to policy.  The Sheriff’s Deputies involved were not injured.  They will be afforded the opportunity to take paid administrative leave during the course of the investigation.  An investigation of this nature could take several weeks to complete.   

The details of this incident are currently under investigation.  Information regarding the number of shots fired, injuries sustained by the suspect, and other details surrounding this incident will not be released at this time to maintain the integrity of the investigation.  The names of the involved Deputies are being withheld at this time.

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