A portion of outer State Street in Santa Barbara was temporarily shut down by police Wednesday evening after a passing motorist reported seeing a man with a gun.

Officers responded at about 5:15 p.m. to State Street east of La Cumbre Road on the report that a man was standing on the north sidewalk pointing a rifle into the sky, police said.

The only report came from a single witness who had left the area by the time police arrived.

Officers shut down State Street between La Cumbre Road and Hope Avenue for about 15 minutes while they conducted a search.

“An officer called the witness and learned that the male had been seen directly in front of the Best Western Plus at 3850 State St.,” police said in a press release. “Officers searched that property and spoke with hotel management. No man with a gun had been seen.”

Police said it was possible the witness was mistaken about what they observed, adding that there were no other reports of a man with gun.

After a thorough search of the area, officers were unable to locate anyone matching the description of the man or a gun.