Standoff Ends In Attempted Murder Arrest In Laguna Beach

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — Laguna Beach police officers arrested a man Tuesday after a six-hour standoff in South Laguna, the department reported Tuesday night.

Laguna Beach resident Shaun Brant, 31, was arrested and charged with attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon. According to the department's released statement, Brant is on formal probation.

Authorities were dispatched to the scene in the 31000 block of 9th Avenue at 10:20 a.m. after receiving a call from an elderly woman in South Laguna to report being hit with a blunt object by Brant, her nephew.

According to the report, officers found the woman with "significant" injuries after arriving to the scene. She was taken to an area hospital, and her name and exact age was not released by authorities.

Brant reportedly barricaded himself inside the home for almost six hours and refused to leave or surrender to police, authorities said. Ultimately, Brant was forced to leave the home after LBPD officers sprayed tear gas inside, where he was arrested.

No other injuries were reported, as Laguna Beach officers worked with members of the recently-formed joint Newport Beach and Laguna Beach SWAT team, Laguna Beach K-9 Handler Corporal McGuire and new K-9 Officer Rudy to safely arrest Brant.

The ongoing stand-off prompted public safety officials to issue an advisory for the surrounding area throughout the day. As of 6 p.m., the advisory was lifted by LBPD.

“We appreciate the public’s cooperation in avoiding the area and neighbors who stayed inside their homes as requested,” Laguna Beach Police Chief Jeff Calvert said in a statement. “Thank you to our partner agencies including our joint S.W.A.T team members and K-9 teams who worked together to safely take this suspect into custody and protect the surrounding neighborhood and public.”