[Update as of 4:15 p.m., Wednesday]
The Sheriff’s Office announced the suspect was spotted near the 3900-block of Foothill and taken into custody.
[Update as of 2:45 p.m., Wednesday]
The Sheriff’s Office announced the shelter in place order has been lifted. The suspect has evaded law enforcement.
No further details were provided.
— Original Post —
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office has asked Toro Canyon residents to shelter in place as they search for an armed suspect on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
At 1:15 p.m, the Sheriff’s Office released a statement through social media saying deputies are searching for a subject that is possible armed with a firearm in the area of Toro Canyon.
“Residents in the affected area had been asked to shelter in place,” stated Raquel Zick, public information officer for the Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies reportedly responded to the area at 11:34 a.m. on Wednesday.
The “Shelter in Place” order includes Lambert Road to the west, Via Real to the south, Nidever to the east and Foothill or Toro Canyon Road to the north.
Toro Canyon is a foothill community off Toro Canyon Road between Summerland and Carpinteria.
No further details have been released. All updates will be added to this story when they are available.
This is a developing story.
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Sheriff is using drones and helicopters in the area. The suspect is described as wearing an orange and black tie-dyed shirt. He was last seen running behind the polo fields.
Thanks for the update.