Sheriff's Officer Involved Shooting - Updated Information

Goleta - March 13th, 2008

On March 6, 2008, at approximately 7:50 am, Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to 4621 Via Gennita, Santa Barbara, on a report of a disturbance. The Deputies responding had limited information as to the circumstances of the disturbance that included a male subject at the residence had a gun. As Deputies arrived they were contacted by the subject’s wife and learned that her husband Donald George had obtained his personal firearm.  She was fearful for his safety and called law enforcement. Deputies secured the perimeter of the residence as she was taken to a neighbor’s home. The preliminary investigation reveals that Donald George had recently been diagnosed with a serious medical condition and was despondent.

 
Deputies posted to the rear of the home were confronted by 64 year old Donald George as he exited the residence onto the patio holding a handgun. Deputies advised him to drop the gun and put his hands up. Donald George refused to comply with their commands and went back into the residence.

Within a matter of minutes he emerged again from the residence onto the back patio, and was still carrying the gun. Deputies repeated their commands advising him to drop the gun and put his hands up. Deputies were approximately 15 feet from him. Deputies observed Donald George handle the gun in a way as if he was racking a round into the chamber. He then turned towards one of the Deputies and pointed the gun directly at him. Three Deputies fired their weapons at Donald George in response to the presented threat. 

Two Deputies fired AR-15 rifles and one a .40 Caliber handgun. A total of 11 rounds were fired hitting Donald George several times. Deputies immediately started first aid and called for an ambulance. Donald George was transported to the hospital where he succumbed to his wounds.

The Deputies involved: Deputy Joe Schmidt, Deputy Jarrett Morris, and Deputy Jeremy Rogers, each have been with the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Department for approximately 3 years.  The individual identified as 64 year old Donald George, resided at 4621 Via Gennita, Santa Barbara. The weapon he used was identified as a Walther PPKS .380 Caliber handgun, that was loaded. 

At this time all indications are that Deputies followed standard law enforcement practices by; initially setting up a perimeter to isolate the location / residence to protect the public, removing people from the scene, issuing commands to de-escalate the situation, responding to the threat of a gun being pointed at them, rendering first aid, calling for medical assistance, and preserving evidence. All three Deputies remain on paid administrative leave which is standard in these situations, as the circumstances surrounding the incident continue to be investigated.

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