Police surround State Street motel after wounded victim showed up at hospital
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - After a man showed up Wednesday morning with a gunshot wound at Cottage Hospital, police moved to surround a State Street motel.
Multiple officers began evacuating the Sunset Motel on the 2500 Block of State Street, focusing on one specific room and some adjacent rooms.
Diane Brewer was already awake when she heard loud pre-dawn noises, "All of a sudden, about ten minutes to five because I looked at my watch, I heard this big 'pop pop' and I said that really sounded like a gun."
Later, the call came to evacuate.
"About seven in the morning, my phone was ringing and I said 'uh oh, something happened,'" Brewer said.
"Ultimately, hours later the Santa Barbara Police Department SWAT team came in to render the room safe along with a SWAT team K9," said Santa Barbara Police Community Engagement Manager Anthony Wagner.
A command post was then set up.
Wagner said some of the guests were detained for questioning.
Evidence markers showed the nearby street, Toyon Drive, was littered with items of interest.
Police reported locating two firearms, ammunition, and approximately 11 ounces of suspected crystal methamphetamine after searching the scene. A search warrant was also served for the suspect motel room.
Following their investigation, Santa Barbara police arrested a 28-year-old parolee-at-large on charges for their existing parole warrant, being a felon in possession of a firearm, a felon in possession of ammunition, illegal possession of a loaded firearm and possession of a sawed-off shotgun.
This investigation is ongoing.
Earlier coverage:
A large police presence has surrounded the Sunset Motel on the 3500 block of State Street Wednesday morning.
Police responding to the motel after a man showed up at Cottage Hospital with a gunshot wound. Santa Barbara Police say evidence collected from the hospital brought them to the motel.
Caution tape has blocked off the entire parking lot of the Sunset Motel. Several rooms have been evacuated as police and SWAT prepare to enter one of the rooms. Several people at the motel have been taken into custody for questioning.
State Street remains open to traffic during the incident. The SWAT vehicle can be seen parked just down the street, waiting to enter the motel room.
This is a developing story and updates will be made as soon as more information becomes available.
