SWAT team surrounds Grover Beach home after man allegedly fires gun, holds 2 men captive
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Grover Beach police arrested a 32-year-old man early Monday morning after he allegedly fired a gun into the air and held two other people against their will in his garage.
According to a police news release, officers responded to the 1200 block of Seabright Avenue around 1:50 a.m. for reports of an armed man. The man — later identified as Gabriel Benjamin Epp of Grover Beach — had discharged a handgun and was allegedly holding two other adult men against their will, according to the release.
When police arrived, they determined that the two men had been able to escape the home where Epp was still located. Officers from Grover Beach, Pismo Beach and Arroyo Grande departments all helped to establish a perimeter around the residence, according to the release.
Preliminary investigation revealed Epp had been drinking alcohol while armed, and had fired shots into the air in front of the residence, police say. According to the release, he then pointed the weapon at the two other men, who he knew, and threatened serious bodily injury to them if they attempted to leave the home’s garage.
At some point he became distracted and the pair were able to escape.
San Luis Obispo County Regional SWAT also responded to the incident. Around 4:30 a.m. officers were able to make contact with Epp via an armored car’s speaker system and convince him to surrender, according to the release.
Epp was taken into custody where he was booked into County Jail on charges of false imprisonment, gross negligent discharge of a firearm, drawing a firearm on another person and criminal threats.
As of mid-morning Monday, he was still in custody with bail set at $50,000.
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