On Sept. 12, members of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department found the body of a Solvang man after responding to a domestic disturbance call.
Sheriff’s deputies called in the department’s Special Enforcement Team (commonly referred to as SWAT) after they were unable to make contact with Harold F. Meyers, 43, who was believed to be inside his home in the 2200 block of Sunrise Way.
According to a press release, Meyers allegedly threatened his wife with a handgun before she was able to flee from the home. When Sheriff’s deputies arrived, they attempted to contact Meyers before requesting backup from the Special Enforcement Team. The department simultaneously sent out Reverse 911 calls to residences in the surrounding area warning locals of the situation and directing them to stay indoors until the situation was resolved.
Assisted by the Sheriff’s Hostage Negotiation Team, the Special Enforcement Team entered the home around 11:15 p.m., where they discovered Meyers’ body inside.
Initial reports said he appeared to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound; however, Sheriff’s officials said the cause and time of death can’t be confirmed until after the coroner’s investigation is completed
This article appears in Sep 16-23, 2010.