District Attorney rules 2017 Lompoc officer-involved shooting ‘justifiable homicide’

The Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office concluded its investigation into the officer-involved shooting in Lompoc that took the life of 34-year-old Geronimo Vicente Santos and ruled it a “justifiable homicide.”

The 8-page DA report says Santos shot and killed Timothy Culley in the victim’s tent in the Santa Ynez Riverbed at about 6 a.m., Nov. 19, 2017. Culley died of a gunshot wound to the head.

Soon after, Santos ran away from the scene of the crime and a someone at the riverbed homeless encampment called 911 to report the shooting.

A “Be On The Lookout” was sent out with the suspect’s description, and about an hour after the homicide had taken place, Santos was located in the area of A Street and Pine Avenue.

The report says several police officers arrived at the scene where Santos was located but despite orders from officers to stop and show his hands, a shooting with officers occurred after Santos took out a gun from his waist and pointed it towards one of the officers, and fired the weapon.

Medics took Santos to Lompoc Valley Medical Center but was pronounced dead at the hospital at about 7:37 p.m.

An autopsy revealed Santos was impacted by eight bullets. The Sheriff-Coroner also noticed two graze wounds, one to Santos’ finger and one to his right upper arm.

You can read the full DA report here.