Santa Maria barricaded suspect surrenders to police

UPDATE

Santa Maria police identified 29-year-old Eddie Dominguez as the barricaded suspect in a domestic violence case Wednesday morning.

The incident began at about 7:30 a.m. at a home in the 800 block of E. Mariposa Way.

Investigators say they discovered the possibility of weapons inside the home during a preliminary investigation. For several hours, police say they attempted to get Dominguez to surrender peacefully. When those negotiations failed, the SWAT team used chemical agents to force Dominguez outside the home.

Concerned neighbors, onlookers and parents flooded College Drive Wednesday to see what all the commotion was about.

“It’s a scary thought – who wouldn’t be scared, our kids are right there – our school is right there,” Witness Cassie Odom said.

Shortly after police deployed the chemical agents, thick, dark smoke was seen coming from the home Dominguez was holed up in. Dominguez eventually exited through a garage door and was taken into custody.

Santa Maria firefighters arrived to the scene quickly, and put out the fire. The home is not a total loss.

Dominguez was booked into Santa Barbara County Jail for kidnapping, stalking, domestic violence, criminal threats, assault with a deadly weapon, obstructing or delaying officers, and two outstanding misdemeanor warrants. His bail was set at $500,000.

The domestic violence victim was brought to the hospital to be evaluated. Police say they take domestic violence very seriously.

“It is a concern, it’s one of those crimes we’d like to see stop completely, people have options,” Santa Maria Police Sgt. Russell Mengel said.

“If you’re being abused, leave the situation,” Odom said.

“I was married and becoming a battered wife.. and the bottom line was that I had a husband that was smoking pot and doing drugs,” witness Evie Geiger said.

“Contact somebody who can help you.. there’s help all over, call the 1-800 numbers on TV or ask a friend to help you,” Odom said.

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ORIGINAL STORY

Santa Maria police are investigating a domestic disturbance about four blocks away from Allan Hancock College, prompting the school to close its south entrance.

Law enforcement converged in the 800 block of Mariposa Way at about 7:30 a.m. after receiving a report of a couple barricaded inside a home.

Witnesses on scene told KCOY 12 they believe the boyfriend barricaded himself inside the home with his girlfriend inside.

Thick, black smoke was seen coming out of the residence as of 11:30 a.m. Fire crews are on scene. Nearby streets have been blocked off.

Police have taken the suspect into custody. The woman inside the home is safe.

Allan Hancock is not on lockdown. Students, staff and visitors can still use any of the other three entrances to the college. The south entrance was closed as a precaution, according to the college. College officials also locked the door to Building S, but students and faculty can still gain entrance to and from the rooms and buildings.

Neighbors reacting to house on fire @KCOY pic.twitter.com/R6glowTjHC

— Melissa Newman (@KCOYMelissaN) November 16, 2016 Fire Dept now on scene @KCOY @KEYTNC3 pic.twitter.com/XEF4fotE1z

— Melissa Newman (@KCOYMelissaN) November 16, 2016