What started as a frightening gun scare at a Santee medical office yesterday ended not with an arrest for a violent crime, but with a mental health evaluation and a 72-hour treatment hold.
Deputies evacuated patients and staff from the Sharp Rees-Stealy medical building in Santee after multiple 911 callers reported a possibly armed man inside. After a careful search, officers found an adult man who was not armed and appeared to be in the middle of a mental health crisis. No patients, medical staff or deputies were hurt, and the man was taken into custody for evaluation.
Deputies Responded Quickly
San Diego County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched just before 3 PM on Saturday to the Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group at 8701 Cuyamaca Street, near Buena Vista Avenue, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Office. Officials said deputies cleared the building out of an abundance of caution while they carried out a room-by-room search for the reported suspect. The department also shared a media contact for anyone seeking follow-up details as the operation wound down.
Search Found An Unarmed Man
During that search, deputies eventually located an adult man inside the clinic who they determined was experiencing a mental health crisis. No weapons were found at the scene, NBC 7 San Diego reported. Patients and medical staff were escorted out during the sweep and later allowed back in once deputies declared the building clear.
Investigators said the man was evaluated on site by clinicians from a Psychiatric Emergency Response Team. That early involvement of behavioral health specialists helped shift the situation from a potential criminal case to a medical one.
PERT Evaluation And A 72-Hour Hold
According to the San Diego County Sheriff's Office, the man was evaluated by a Psychiatric Emergency Response Team clinician and placed on a 72-hour hold for mental health treatment under Welfare and Institutions Code section 5150. Deputies emphasized that no one in the clinic, and no responding officers, suffered any injuries during the incident. Authorities said the man was turned over to mental health services for further evaluation and care.
What A 5150 Hold Means
Under California law, a 5150 hold allows a person to be detained for up to 72 hours for assessment and crisis intervention if they appear to be a danger to themselves, a danger to others, or are gravely disabled. That framework is summarized on FindLaw. During the 72-hour window, clinicians decide whether someone should continue with inpatient treatment, transition to voluntary care, or be released. The law is designed to stabilize an immediate crisis while connecting people to follow-up support.
How County Crisis Teams Work
San Diego County uses Psychiatric Emergency Response Teams that pair licensed clinicians with specially trained deputies, and also operates Mobile Crisis Response Teams that can respond without law enforcement for non-violent situations, according to county Behavioral Health Services materials. When a call comes in, dispatchers decide whether to send MCRT, PERT, or law enforcement based on what the caller reports and any safety concerns. Officials say this co-response approach is meant to steer people in crisis toward treatment while trying to avoid unnecessary arrests or hospital stays.
The Clinic In East County
The Sharp Rees-Stealy Santee office at 8701 Cuyamaca Street provides urgent care, imaging and a range of specialty services for East County residents, according to Sharp HealthCare's public listing. The facility serves as a multi-service medical hub for the community, which is why deputies opted for a precautionary evacuation while they checked for any threat. The listing includes hours and service information for patients planning upcoming visits.
Officials later described the response as a safety-first operation that focused on mental health care and a swift resolution to a tense afternoon, NBC 7 San Diego reported. No criminal charges have been announced, and the case remains under review as the man continues receiving treatment. Authorities asked that anyone with additional information reach out to local law enforcement.
