Sheriff’s Deputies Resolve Confrontation With Suicidal Man

At approximately 7:00 p.m. on July 21, 2018, Sheriff’s Deputies from the Lompoc and Santa Maria Stations, as well as the California Highway Patrol, Lompoc Police Department and California State Parks responded to report of a suicidal subject in a motor home at the Jalama Beach Campground. The subject, a 63-year old male from Arizona, was in possession of a loaded handgun and threatened to shoot himself.

With the assistance of our allied agencies including the Santa Barbara County Sheriff/Fire Air Support Unit, the campground was partially evacuated and a dialogue was started with the subject. While being asked to exit the motorhome, the subject repeatedly opened the door and at one time had a handgun pointed to his head.

After more than one hour of consistent efforts of Sheriff’s personnel to communicate with the subject, Deputies were able to calm him and de-escalate the situation to the point where they were able to safely assist paramedics in transporting him to a local hospital for treatment and a mental health evaluation.

Report of a man with a gun in a MotorHome at the Jalama Store, he threatened to shoot himself before going into a motorhome at 9991 Jalama Beach Road in Lompoc.