Police Activity and Sheriff Helicopter Circling Santa Barbara’s Westside

UPDATE: The latest update with a statement from the police department can be found here.

Edhat readers reported there was a suspect driving an older model green Honda throughout the westside neighborhood, possibly armed with a handgun. 

Santa Barbara Police were in pursuit and the driver was not pulling over. Near Gillespie and Mission Streets the driver slowed down the vehicle while police were shouting commands for the male driver to exit with arms raised, according to edhat readers

The driver opened the door and a large bang was heard. Readers were unsure if it was a gunshot or a less lethal shot and whether this was from the police or the suspect. After the bang, the suspect slammed the door shut and sped off on Mission Street towards Chino. 

Another reader stated the suspect, described as around 5’9″ in height with tattoos, wearing a black shirt and blue shorts, attempted to enter her backyard near Gillespie and Valerio Streets. 

Note: These reports have yet to be verified by law enforcement. This is a developing story.

Edhat readers report a Sheriff helicopter has been circling above Santa Barbara’s Westside neighborhood on Sunday (March 22, 2026).

Below are reports from edhat readers:

• I heard a lot of sirens after 3:00 p.m. in my house by Foodland on the westside. Didn’t see where they ended up but checked PulsePoint and there was nothing.
• Sheriff Helicopter circling the Westside for the last 45 mins at least. As of 5:15 p.m., this is still happening. 
• Helicopter over Harding School. What is going on?

FlightRadar24 shows the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s helicopter left the Santa Ynez Airport around 4:34 p.m. and it primarily circled the area of Westside neighborhood from Mountain Ave to W. Victoria Street to Chino Street to W. Micheltorena.

Around 5:30 p.m. Sunday, the helicopter left the area for a short time only to reappear circling the same area. 

This is a developing story.