Standoff Shuts Down 101 in Both Directions Near Los Alamos

Sheriff's Lt. Ray Vuillemainroy on scene at a standoff outside of Los Alamos where a man, believed to be armed, has barricaded himself in a house and caused the closure of North and South bound traffic on Highway 101 (Mar. 20, 2015)

Highway 101 is closed in both directions at Bell Street in Los Alamos while law enforcement agencies handle what is reportedly an armed person barricaded in a home, according to law enforcement personnel on scene.

North bound drivers along that stretch of Highway 101 are exiting at Highway 246 and being directed towards Lompoc, according to the California Highway Patrol. South bound drivers are being directed to exit at Bell Street and to Highway 1, towards Lompoc.

The incident developed after Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputies responded this afternoon to a call involving a threat at the far south end of Bell Street south of Los Alamos, in what appears to be a ranch home within 50 yards of the highway.

When they started walking toward the home a man saw them and ran back inside the house, according to a deputy at the scene.

The man is believed to have weapons in the house, according to officials. Responding agencies have mental health officials at the scene and are trying to contact the man and resolve the incident peacefully, according to officials.

The highway will be closed indefinitely.

This is a developing story. Check back for more details as they become available.