UPDATE Aug. 4, 2:19 p.m.
CARLSBAD, Calif. - A man armed with a loaded handgun experiencing a mental health emergency in Carlsbad peacefully surrendered at 11:28 a.m., following a 16-hour effort by Carlsbad Police to de-escalate the situation. Police were originally alerted Thursday evening to a person in distress in a parking lot along Loker Avenue West, just north of Palomar Airport Road.
Loker Avenue West and the surrounding businesses are now open.
Businesses along Loker Avenue West were asked to delay opening Friday morning out of an abundance of caution, while Carlsbad Police closed Loker Avenue West from Palomar Airport Road to just west of El Fuerte Street.
With public safety in mind, Carlsbad Police were able to create a perimeter around the individual who was in a vehicle in a public parking lot, while negotiations took place. Carlsbad Police were on the scene through the night with specially trained crisis negotiators.
“We would like to thank our community for their patience and for avoiding the area so we could bring this difficult situation to a peaceful conclusion,” said Carlsbad Police Chief Mickey Williams. “This incident really shows the value of de-escalation training, especially related to people who may be having a mental health crisis.”
In October 2021, the City of Carlsbad Police Department announced a new de-escalation policy that was created with input from community members and tracks a countywide de-escalation policy put into effect in June of 2020. The Carlsbad policy’s leading concept is that law enforcement is guided by the overarching principle of reverence for human life in all investigative, enforcement, and other interactions between law enforcement and members of the community.
Along with the policy, the Police Department committed to providing officers with additional training, equipment, and resources to encourage peaceful resolutions.
The Carlsbad Police Department would also like to thank their partners at the San Diego Sheriff’s Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Oceanside Police Department for their assistance in bringing this incident to a peaceful resolution.
The person involved is a 54-year-old male. His name is not being released due to medical privacy laws. He was transported to a local area hospital for assessment and care.
For more information
Lieutenant Darbie Ernst, 442-339-2139 or Darbie.Ernst@carlsbadca.gov
Police media contact
Denise Ramirez, Public Information Officer, 442-339-5647 or denise.ramirez@carlsbadca.gov
UPDATE Aug. 4, 10 a.m.
Police crisis negotiators are continuing their work to resolve the incident. There is currently no threat to the public, but police are encouraging people to avoid the area. Loker Avenue West remains closed from Palomar Airport Road to 2762 Loker Avenue West. The safety of all involved remains our top priority.
ORIGINAL STORY Aug. 4, 6 a.m.
Carlsbad Police have temporarily closed Loker Avenue West from Palomar Airport Road to El Fuerte Street while officers respond to a person experiencing a mental health crisis who is believed to have a weapon. Businesses on Loker Avenue West from Palomar Airport Road to 2762 Loker Avenue West are temporarily closed out of an abundance of caution.
Police responded to the scene at about 7:15 p.m. Thursday following reports of an individual in distress in an office building parking lot on Loker Avenue West.
Police crisis negotiators are working to resolve the incident. There is currently no threat to the public, but police are encouraging people to avoid the area.
