Search for suspect prompts brief lockdown at Goleta area schools

GOLETA, Calif. - Schools were placed on brief lockdowns and residents were asked to avoid the area as Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Deputies searched for a suspect in Goleta.

It happened around 2 p.m. in the Evergreen area near Brandon School and Waldorf School.

Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Deputies searched the area for a man who was originally reported to have had a gun.

Nearby schools were placed on lockdown and people were being directed to avoid the area while law enforcement searched the area.

An air support unit flew overhead and helped direct deputies to a creek behind Waldorf School where the man was located.

At around 2:10 p.m., the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office declared the scene to be safe.

The man was released at the scene and the gun was found to be a pellet gun, according to Santa Barbara County Sheriff's public information officer, Raquel Zick.