Santa Barbara County sheriff’s deputies responded to the Bradbury Dam Observation Point at Lake Cachuma Thursday afternoon on a report of a possibly suicidal woman with a gun.
After more than two hours, the woman was taken into custody shortly after 6 p.m.
The incident began at about 3:45 p.m. when a family member called 9-1-1 to report that Rebecca Lizarraga, 50, of Ojai was suicidal and possibly armed with a gun in the Lake Cachuma area, according to Kelly Hoover, a sheriff’s spokeswoman.
Deputies located Lizarraga’s vehicle at the observation point, tracked her to a secluded cove, and determined that she was in possession of a firearm.
“A Santa Barbara County Air Support helicopter responded and observed her fire several shots into the air,” Hoover said.
Numerous deputies responded to the scene at the west end of Lake Cachuma, along with county park rangers and personnel from other law-enforcement agencies.
Deputies attempted to establish communication with Lizarraga, and the department’s Special Enforcement and Hostage Negotiations teams were called in.
“Air Support provided critical information on the suicidal subject’s activities to deputies on the ground,” Hoover said.
Lizarraga reportedly was on the phone to her therapist, and was alternately holding and putting down the gun, according to emergency radio traffic.
“While Hostage Negotiations Team members communicated with Lizarraga, she continued to threaten to harm herself and discharged her firearm,” Hoover said. “Ultimately, Special Enforcement Team members were able to use ‘less-lethal’ impact weapons to take her into custody.”
Lizarraga was transported by boat to the lake marina, where she was examined by AMR paramedics. She was then taken to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital for medical treatment and evaluation.
“The Sheriff’s Office will forward the case to the District Attorney’s Office with the recommendation that she be charged with illegal and reckless discharge of a firearm,” Hoover said.
The road leading into the vista point was blocked off during the incident, and the public was advised to avoid the area.
County parks rangers also reportedly directed boaters on the lake away from the area.
Click here for suicide prevention information and resources that are available 24/7.
The National Suicide Prevention Line is available 24/7 at 1.800.273.8255, and the Santa Barbara County 24-hour, toll-free hotline is 1.800.400.1572.
— Noozhawk executive editor Tom Bolton can be reached at tbolton@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.