Oceano Avenue Barricaded Suspect Surrenders to SBPD Without Further Incident

Update by Santa Barbara Police Department
5:15 p.m., May 25, 2021

On May 25, 2021, around 12:11am, Officers responded to an apartment complex in the 100 block of Oceano Avenue after receiving reports of a subject disturbing the peace and breaking property in his apartment.

Officers attempted to contact the subject, later identified as Skyler Stephen Prophet, a 26-year-old Santa Barbara resident. Prophet refused to answer the door and started making nonsensical and irrational statements to Officers. Mental health workers were contacted but were not able to respond or render services because Prophet appeared to be under the influence of a controlled substance. The Officers on scene determined there was no crime, no one was willing to press charges for disturbing the peace, and no other occupants were inside the apartment. Officers asked Prophet through the door of the apartment to be quiet and it appeared he complied.

Around 2:00am, the Combined Communications Center received additional calls about Prophet continuing to create a disturbance and Officers responded. A neighbor signed a citizen’s arrest complaint against Prophet for disturbing the peace. Officers were attempting to make verbal (voice-to-voice) contact directly with Prophet through a window he had broken. Prophet grabbed a large piece of window glass (approx. 18” in diameter) and threw it directly at the Officers. The Officers had to quickly move out of the way to avoid being struck by the sharp shard. Prophet continued to yell nonsensical statements and would not comply with multiple verbal requests from the Officers. Prophet then armed himself was a large wooden pole and continued to damage the interior of his apartment. Due to Prophet’s erratic actions and statements he had made, it appeared he was under the influence of an unidentified controlled substance and possibly suffering from mental health illness.

Photo: SBPD

Officers were able to observe a medium sized dog in the apartment. The care of the animal was also a serious concern.

Evacuations were initiated for the immediate surrounding apartments and residents in the 100 block of Oceano Ave. were notified to shelter in place until the situation was resolved. Santa Barbara City College West Campus was also placed on a shelter in place order.

Officers secured the scene by setting up a perimeter and requested additional assistance. Santa Barbara Police SWAT and Crisis Negotiations Response Team (CNRT) responded to the scene, as well as the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office/Behavioral Wellness Co-Response Team. Fire Department and Paramedics were also requested to stage nearby if needed. A search and arrest warrant was approved and authorized by a Judge.

Officers, Detectives, and CNRT all attempted phone calls, texts, voice-to-voice, and utilized the Police Department’s rescue vehicle’s public address system requesting Prophet to surrender. Dozens of attempts to contact Prophet had failed and he refused to willingly exit his apartment.

Prophet was observed by Officers armed with a metal pole and several sharp-edged weapons. He continued to throw blunt objects out of his windows at Officers on scene. Prophet was also fortifying his apartment by blocking windows and entrances with furniture.

After several hours of attempted negotiations, SWAT deployed a chemical agent into the apartment, through the broken windows. The effects from the agent caused Prophet to exit his apartment and surrender to Officers without further incident.

Located inside Prophet’s apartment were 5 throwing knifes, large wooden staffs, and a metal pole/pipe. These weapons were booked as evidence.

Prophet was taken to Cottage Hospital for a medical evaluation because of his erratic behavior and for being under the influence of a controlled substance. Prophet reported no injuries to Officers. After his medical evaluation, he was transported to Santa Barbara County Jail and will receive a mental health assessment and treatment from Santa Barbara County Wellpath’s mental health workers. Prophet is being charged with 245(c) PC – Assault with a Deadly Weapon Against a Peace Officer (felony), 415(2) PC – Disturbing the Peace (misdemeanor), and 148(a)(1) PC – Resisting/Obstructing an Officer (misdemeanor). Bail is set at $50,000.

SWAT and CNRT Officers receive dozens of hours of specialized training each month on how to handle these types of situations, work together to deescalate these incidents, and strive towards the safest outcome given the circumstances.

No Officers were injured during this incident. The dog was retrieved and determined not to have been injured. The animal was cared for by Santa Barbara City Animal Control and released to a family friend.

Update by Santa Barbara Police Department
12:15 p.m., May 25, 2021

UPDATE- Barricaded Subject Incident Resolved

The immediate situation on 100 blk of Oceano Ave. has been resolved
Shelter in place order has been lifted
Those evacuated can return home
The 100 block of Oceano Ave near the intersection of Del Mar Ave will remain closed to vehicles for the next hour

By Santa Barbara Police Department
8:50 a.m., May 25, 2021

Barricaded Subject – 100 Oceano Ave. Brief

Officers responded to an apartment complex the 100 block of Oceano Ave for a disturbance in progress
Through an apartment door, Officers made contact with a lone subject
Subject appeared to be under the influence of a controlled substance
Subject started breaking apartment windows and barricaded themselves inside their apartment
Subject assaulted an Officer with a deadly weapon (non-firearm) and is armed with a metal pipe
SWAT & Crisis Negotiations Response Team is on scene
Negotiations have begun in attempt to deescalate
Co-response is also on scene
Shelter in place order has been initiated for the 100 block of Oceano Ave
Evacuations are occurring for the immediate surrounding apartment complex located at 80 Oceano Ave. (Sea Cliff Apartments)
Streets closed –
- Oceano Ave / Del Mar Ave
- Oceano Ave / Del Sol Ave
- Barranca Ave / Del Mar Ave