Chaos erupted in Vista on Wednesday evening when a gun-wielding man allegedly chased locals on Primrose Avenue, setting off a frantic search by sheriff's deputies that ended in the discovery of an arsenal of weapons, including untraceable "ghost guns." No shots were fired, and there were no injuries reported in the incident, which began around 7:30 p.m., according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.
The suspect, who fled the scene initially in a pickup truck and later returned on an off-road motorcycle, was identified as Christopher Loftis, born on July 25, 1978. He confronted four individuals and threatened them with the weapon before making his escape. This spurred the victims to call 911 and share the suspect's description and route of escape, helping deputies to pinpoint Loftis' residence. A search warrant executed at the suspect’s house uncovered rifles, shotguns, handguns, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition along with tactical gear.
Significantly worrying to authorities were the two ghost guns found in the haul, which, as the San Diego County Sheriff's Department statement notes, are firearms made without serial numbers and thus not trackable by law enforcement. This makes them a particular threat as they can easily be used in criminal activities without leaving a trace back to their creators or owners.
Now, Loftis sits behind bars at the Vista Detention Facility, facing charges of assault with a deadly weapon, possession of an assault weapon, and owning a gun without a serial number.
