Standoff in Lompoc between Sheriff’s Deputies and Suspect
At approximately 1:00 a.m. today, August 6, 2014, Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Deputies in Lompoc responded to a residence in Vandenberg Village on a reported domestic violence incident. Prior to deputies arriving at the female victim’s residence, 38-year-old Johnny William Argel fled to his residence which he shares with his 91-year-old grandmother.
After establishing that the female victim was physically felony assaulted by her boyfriend, deputies responded to Argel’s home and made contact with his grandmother. In the presence of the deputies, Argel emerged from his upstairs bedroom holding what appeared to be a semi-automatic handgun to his head. An intense 45 minute standoff ensued. Lompoc Police Officers also responded to assist the deputies.
A few minutes into the standoff, Argel agreed that his grandmother should be removed from the house. Deputies picked her up and carried her out of the house safely. She was seen by medics due to her age and overwhelming shock and anxiety of the incident.
The ordeal finally ended when Argel set his handgun down and allowed deputies to take it. While it appeared to be a real handgun, it turned out to be an airsoft-type replica gun, similar to a Glock handgun. Argel was taken into custody without further incident.
Argel was transported and booked at the Santa Barbara County Jail for false imprisonment and felony assault with a deadly weapon which occurred at the victim’s residence. His bail is currently set at one million dollars.
Address/Location
Santa Barbara County Sheriff
4434 Calle Real
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 805-681-4192