Santa Maria Man Charged With Fire Extinguisher Attack

Santa Maria police have arrested a 48-year old man for what they describe as an unprovoked attack with a fire extinguisher.

Police responded to a call at an apartment on 900 E. Jones after reports of a fight around 2:45 Thursday afternoon. When officers arrived they found the victim covered in powder from a dry chemical fire extinguisher.

The victim, who had difficulty breathing told them that the suspect had started spraying the fire extinguisher powder under the apartment door. Police say then 48-year old Jose Picos started breaking the apartment windows. When the victim tried stopping him, police say Picos sprayed him in the face.

Police say the victim retaliated by trying tried to pin Picos against a wall, but the suspect continued spraying into the apartment while a woman and a 2-year old child were inside.

Police say Picos eventually dropped the fire extinguisher and raced to the Allan Hancock College campus where he began slashing tires in the college parking lot. College police arrested Picos. The victim was transported to the hospital for treatment.