Man With Gun Leads to Neighborhood Search

Santa Barbara - September 24th, 2009

The report of a man with a gun in an unincorporated portion of South Santa Barbara County led to a school lockdown and neighborhood search this morning.

At approximately 7:18am this the Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to Modoc Road and Hollister Avenue following a report of a man walking along Modoc Rd. with a rifle.
The initial search was expanded when deputies could not locate the subject with a gun.

At approximately 7:45am the Sheriff’s Department instructed nearby Vieja Valley Elementary School to go on lockdown. The Sheriff’s Department continued the search with multiple patrol units on the ground and the Sheriff’s helicopter from the air. Santa Barbara Police, the California Highway Patrol, UCSB Police and Santa Barbara County Fire also assisted during the incident.

At approximately 8:31am deputies contacted a man who fit the description of the subject. During the interview the man confirmed that he had carried one of his unloaded shotguns from his vehicle to his nearby home. Once deputies determined there was no risk, the search was ended and the school was taken off lockdown.

Detectives will interview the man to determine if any laws were broken. At this time there have been no arrests.

For more information regarding news related issues
please contact Drew Sugars, Public Information Officer.

Business Hours: (805) 681-4100
EMAIL:pio@sbsheriff.org