Suicidal man threatens to blow-up apartment building in Buellton

—UPDATE—

A suicidal man who threatened to blow up his apartment building in Buellton causing a shelter in place warning has been arrested.

Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of a suicidal subject in an apartment in the 500 blk of Avenue of Flags in Buellton around 6:15 p.m. on Saturday.

When deputies arrived at the scene, they found the man barricaded inside the apartment and refusing to come out.

The 44-year old man made statements indicating that he would fill up his apartment with gas and blow up the building.

Due to the potential danger, Sheriff’s deputies evacuated the apartment building and sent out an emergency notification to nearby residents to shelter in place.

Santa Barbara County Fire personnel responded and turned off the gas to the building, and Sheriff’s deputies created a perimeter.

After several efforts to get the man to surrender, Sheriff’s deputies obtained an arrest warrant and entered the apartment. Sheriff’s deputies found the man had attempted suicide and was in urgent need of medical care.

The Sheriff’s Office says the man was combative with the deputies but was transported to an area hospital for medical treatment.

A box cutter was found inside the residents.

The suicidal man was booked in absentia on charges of making criminal threats.

His name is being withheld at this time to his mental health issues.

—INITIAL STORY—

Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputies have lifted a safety alert following a stand-off in Buellton that began at 6:15 p.m.

They apparently resolved a situation with a suicidal subject thought to pose a danger to himself and others.

The California Highway Patrol assisted with road closures during the stand-off on the 500 block of Avenue of Flags.

Officers evacuated the man’s apartment building and issued an alert to shelter in place was lifted around 10:30 p.m.