Armed Standoff in Imperial Beach
May 22, 2026 – San Diego County Sheriff’s Office officials report that on Wednesday, May 20th, deputies from 
the Sheriff’s Imperial Beach Substation responded to a report of a residential burglary in the 1200 block of Granger Avenue in the city of Imperial Beach.
Two residents reported that upon returning home, they discovered the locks on their door had been changed. As one resident looked through a window, they saw the barrel of a black handgun pointed at them. The residents immediately retreated to safety and called the Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies arrived quickly, secured the area, and established a perimeter. The reporting resident stated there were two individuals inside the home but was unable to identify which person had pointed the firearm.
After repeated announcements for occupants to exit, a male—later identified as Matthew Sanchez (76)—walked out of the residence. Sanchez claimed to be the landlord and said he was attempting to evict the residents. He also reported that his brother, Andrew Sanchez (76), remained inside and refused to leave.
Deputies attempted contact with Andrew, who continued to refuse to exit the home. Due to the belief that he was armed, additional resources were requested, including the Sheriff’s helicopter (ASTREA), the Crisis Negotiations Team, and the Special Enforcement Detail (SED).
After several hours of negotiations, Andrew Sanchez peacefully surrendered and was taken into custody without incident. He was found in possession of ammunition. Detectives obtained a search warrant for the residence, and a subsequent search revealed a black handgun hidden inside.
Andrew Sanchez was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon. Matthew Sanchez was arrested for conspiracy to commit a crime. Both were later booked into jail.
There is no ongoing threat to the community. The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the residents of Imperial Beach for their patience and cooperation during this high-risk incident.
Source: San Diego County Sheriff’s Office