[Updated: Wed., May 13, 2026, 9:19am]
A chaotic scene unfolded Friday morning on South La Cumbre Road when a man allegedly fired a weapon at a Santa Barbara police officer, striking the officer in the head with what was later determined to be a .177 caliber BB from an air gun. The man, identified as 30-year-old Mitchell Grant Grote, then fled into La Cumbre Plaza and attempted to barricade himself in a mall bathroom before being arrested, according to witnesses and the SBPD.
Grote was charged with aggravated mayhem, assault upon a peace officer, battery with injury upon a peace officer, and resisting an executive officer. Additionally, he was charged with several special allegations, including use of a deadly weapon, infliction of great bodily injury, and committing a criminal offense while on felony probation. At his arraignment on Tuesday, Grote pleaded not guilty to all charges and denied special allegations.