Full Notification

Public Information Release
January 20, 2017
Lieutenant Steve Brooks, Public Information Officer


On January 19, 2017 at approximately 7:00 pm, Lake County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to the area of Main Street and Single Springs Drive in Kelseyville, for a reported man with a gun. Officers from the California Highway Patrol also responded to assist.

When deputies arrived on scene, they contacted three witnesses who said Ariel Santos and Mario Flores had been at the residence together. One of the witnesses stated Flores was seen carrying a handgun behind his back, while Santos argued with one of the occupants. Santos and Flores left a short time later in a green Toyota pick-up. Moments after Santos and Flores started to drive away, witnesses heard four gunshots.

Deputies obtained information that Flores resided in the 1900 block of Big Valley Road in Kelseyville. Deputies responded to the residence and contacted both subjects standing near a green Toyota pick-up. Upon contact, deputies noticed a loaded, 9 mm, Sig Sauer handgun in plain view in the passenger area of the vehicle. The handgun was later determined to have been stolen in September 2015 during a residential burglary in Lakeport. Flores and Santos were arrested for a series of charges associated with negligent discharge of a firearm and possession of stolen property. Deputies later recovered five 9 mm shell casings on the roadway within the limits of the Kelseyville High School. A school related sports function was taking place at the time the firearm was discharged and the school was locked down for a short time.

The Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Detectives responded to the scene to assist with the investigation and to serve a search warrant. Approximately nine pounds of processed marijuana, 45 flowering marijuana plants, ammunition and a .223 caliber 30 round magazine were seized from the property.
Flores and Santos were transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility, where they were booked for the negligent discharge of a firearm in a school zone, possession of stolen firearm, being armed while in the commission of a felony, willful discharge of a firearm in a negligent manner and obstructing or resisting a peace officer in the performance of their duties. Santos was also charged with driving while under the influence. Santos and Flores remain in custody on bail of $35,000.

The Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit is continuing the investigation into this incident and anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Richard Kreutzer at 707-262-4233.