UPDATED 3:00 P.M.

The Sheriff’s Station crisis management team made contact with the suspect at approximately 2:40 p.m.

They are still in communication and trying to get him to “peacefully step out,” according to Deputy Josh Dubin.

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UPDATED 1:45 P.M. 

The standoff continues between deputies and a potentially armed and suicidal man inside a residence on Hidden Oak Place.

Deputy Josh Dubin said that the station’s Crisis Management and Mental Health Evaluation teams are on scene, trying to make contact with the suspect.

A SWAT team is also at the scene on standby, in case they are needed.

“It’s still under investigation if he has a weapon,” Dubin said. “It’s still under investigation if a crime has occurred.”

He said that this may just be a mentally unstable individual “who needs our help.”

UPDATED 12:20 P.M.

About six homes have been evacuated near the home that deputies have surrounded, said Sgt. Richard Nagler. 

Residents are not being evacuted to any specific location, just out of the area.

“We don’t know anything about any explosives. We just want to be careful in case there’s any gunfire,” Nagler said.

ORIGINAL STORY

Santa Clarita deputies responded to a house on the 29000 block of Hidden Oak Place in Canyon Country after reports that there was a potentially armed and suicidal person inside.

“We have a situation where we got a call of a possible structure fire in Canyon Country,” said Sgt. Richard Nagler of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station. “We were updated to the call that the person had possible mental issues and may be armed and dangerous.”

Deputies are evacuating residents in the area.

“We’ve set up and we’re trying to determine exactly what’s going on,” Nagler said.

California Highway Patrol units are en route to assist with road closures.

Witnesses are reporting that three ambulances, paramedics, a fire truck and patrol cars have responded to the scene. A SWAT team is also en route.

“There’s police tape all over my neighborhood,” said Thresa Katz, resident of Begonias Lane and co-host of Friday Matinee on KHTS AM-1220. “I am at the corner of Edgeview Place and Begonias.” 

A crisis negotiator is being called to the scene.

No one has been hurt at this time, Nagler said.

Do you have a news tip? Call us at (661) 298-1220, or drop us a line at community@hometownstation.com.

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Source: Santa Clarita News
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