Full Notification

At approximately 8:05 p.m. last night, December 28, 2018, the Santa Barbara County Public Safety Dispatch Center received a call from a person who had entered her home in the 5900 block of Oakhill Rd. and found a bloody scene inside. She discovered a victim covered in blood in a bathtub, fled the residence and called for help. When responding deputies arrived at the Oakhill Estates residence they determined that a suspect was inside. Deputies entered the home, contacted the suspect and determined that he was armed with a rifle. An emergency notification was sent to residents in Oakhill Estates advising them to shelter in place. The Sheriff’s Special Enforcement Team (SET) and Sheriff’s Hostage Negotiation Team were called to the scene.

Further information was obtained from the suspect that there were additional people inside the house. In an effort to rescue any potential victims, Sheriff’s SET deputies made further entry into the house. They made contact with the armed suspect, a confrontation ensued during which the suspect was initially shot with less lethal munitions, followed by the use of deadly force. The suspect was transported to a hospital by ambulance and was subsequently pronounced dead.

When deputies searched the residence, they found a total of three deceased persons inside believed to be homicide victims. The names of these victims and the suspect are being withheld until all are positively identified and next of kin has been notified.

This tragic incident remains under active investigation. Accordingly, no additional information will be released until further notice.