Police shot man at Santa Maria mini golf course. Santa Barbara County sheriff is investigating
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office investigating an officer-involved shooting that took place Sunday afternoon in north Santa Maria after a man allegedly waved a gun in front of bystanders at a miniature golf course.
The Father’s Day incident reportedly began just before 1 p.m at the new Preisker Commercial Center in the 2200 block of Preisker Lane, between Preisker Park and North Broadway, Santa Maria police Lt. Paul Van Meel said.
Santa Maria shooting followed Boomers! reopening
Officers responded to the area after police dispatchers received a 9-1-1 call about a man waving a gun in front of “numerous community members” at Boomers! Miniature Golf Arcade, 2250 N. Preisker Lane.
“At the time of the call, the business was occupied, and employees ushered people inside where they secured the doors and sheltered in place,” Van Meel said.
He said police arrived a short time later and spotted the suspect with a handgun near the intersection of Preisker Lane and North Broadway.
One officer discharged his firearm, striking the suspect, Van Meel said.
After the shooting, officers “rapidly engaged in lifesaving efforts to treat the suspect for his injuries,” he added.
The man, reportedly in his early 30s, was transported to a local hospital and is in stable condition, Chief Phil Hansen said later Sunday afternoon.
A handgun was recovered at the scene, Hansen said, adding that he could not discuss some aspects of the incident since the investigation remained in its early stages.
Police were told the man was waving a gun at the business and as he left the property, Hansen said.
He added that no officers were injured in the incident, and a gun was recovered at the scene.
The incident occurred the day after Boomers! reopened following an extended closure due to the public health order related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hansen said Boomers! employees “took appropriate action.”
The Boomers! manager said all employees and guests were brought inside and sheltered in place until police gave them further instruction.
Employees and guests were locked in for about 20 to 30 minutes, the Boomers! manager said, before an officer came and said they could reopen.
“I think they did what was prudent,” Hansen said. “They gathered in customers at the location, I’m told, and locked the doors, had them shelter in place and called police.”
Officer-involved shooting investigation
Hansen said the investigation will include reviewing video camera footage. While Santa Maria police do not wear body cameras, they do have recording equipment in their patrol vehicles.
“This did not take place far from the vehicle, so obviously we’ll be retrieving all the footage we have on it as well as any footage that Boomers! might have,” he said. “That’ll be part of the investigation.”
Officers also expect to canvas nearby businesses, including Wendy’s and Hampton Inn & Suites for any possible surveillance camera recordings of the suspect and shooting.
Santa Barbara County sheriff’s investigators were en route to the scene to handle the officer-involved shooting review, Hansen said.
“We are asking the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office to run this investigation because our personnel were involved in it,” he said.
The District Attorney’s Office also will review the circumstances, Hansen added.
Traffic in the area, including on North Broadway near Highway 101, was backed up for a time due to the investigation.
The last Santa Maria police officer-involved shooting occurred in January 2018.
