Suspect Arrested During a Shooting Threats Investigation 

May 20, 2026 – Ventura County Sheriff's Office officials report that on May 16th, 2026, at approximately 3:30 P.M. (1530 hours), Thousand Oaks Patrol Deputies were dispatched to a threats call in the 300 block of Longwood Court in Newbury Park.  When they arrived, they learned a local man, George Barnard, had made threats to commit a shooting, or hire a member of an outlaw motorcycle gang to commit a shooting against a neighbor he was having a feud with.  Sheriff’s Gun Violence Reduction Detectives were monitoring the call, and learned Barnard had firearms lawfully registered to him and authored an emergency Gun Violence Restraining Order, which was reviewed and approved by a Ventura County Superior Court Judge.

Patrol Deputies located George in the 300 block of Longview Court and detained him.  During the detention they located a “pen gun” and ammunition in his pockets.  A “pen gun” or zip gun is a device made to be an unregistered, and unrecognizable firearm but be capable of firing a projectile.  Zip-guns are illegal to possess in California.  Detectives served Barnard with the GVRO and Barnard consented to a search of his residence and vehicle.  During the search of the residence, detectives and deputies located approximately 2000 rounds of ammunition, body armor, dozens of firearm magazines, two AR-15 lower receivers.  Detectives located a loaded and operable 9mm pistol that was concealed in Barnard’s vehicle.    Barnard was booked into custody at the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility for numerous firearms violations and was later released on pre-trial monitoring, pending his arraignment.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Gun Violence Reduction Program is a collaborative effort aimed at reducing gun violence in Ventura County though the enforcement of firearms laws and the seizure of illegally possessed weapons.  In partnership with state, federal, and local agencies, the program targets unlawful possession and manufacturing of firearms within Ventura County.  A key focus includes facilitating the safe surrender of and/or seizing firearms and ammunition from individuals prohibited from owning or possessing them, with actions guided by entries in the State’s Armed Prohibited Persons System (APPS).  The VCSO GVRP unit is made up of detectives from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, The California Department of Justice and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).  Together these agencies work to enhance public safety and prevent gun-related crimes in the community.

Nature of Incident:	Suspect Arrested During a Shooting Threats Investigation
Report Number:	26-62081
Location:	300 Block of Longwood Court, Newbury Park, CA
Date & Time:	5/16/2026 – 1530 Hours
Unit(s) Responsible:	Thousand Oaks Police Department – Patrol Services, VCSO Gun Violence Reduction Program (GVRP)
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent		City of Residence	Age
(S) – George Barnard		Newbury Park	81

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime.  The caller may remain anonymous.  The call is not recorded.  Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

Source & photo: Ventura County Sheriff's Office