SWAT standoff in Ramona prompts evacuation of Hanson Elementary School

RAMONA, Calif. (FOX5/KUSI) -- The San Diego County Sheriff's Office is urging the public to avoid the 1500 block of Royal Vista Drive in Ramona as a SWAT standoff was reported in the area around 2 p.m. Wednesday.

Around 9:18 a.m., deputies responded to a welfare check on a man in the 1400 block of Royal Vista Drive, according to Lt. Scott Roller with the San Diego County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies last made contact with the suspect at 9:30 a.m. They haven't contacted him since due to the situation being unsafe for law enforcement, per SDSO.

Authorities say the suspect is armed, possibly with a shotgun, as seen by a photo shared to police via family from the residence.

The suspect has been firing his weapon inside the residence, so the situation has been deemed a risk to the community, according to the sheriff's office. It is unknown if the suspect has other weapons.

Only one person is in the residence at this time, authorities added.

Deputies from the Ramona Sheriff's Substation and the Escondido Police Department are currently on the scene, and the Crisis Negotiation Team is also responding.

Out of caution, the students and staff evacuated Hanson Elementary School and have been relocated to the Ramona Community Montessori School located at 1010 Ramona St, Ramona, CA 92065.

Sheriff's officials said students can be picked up at Ramona Community Montessori School. The evacuation site is located approximately a mile and a half from the school.

A local news chopper was overhead and captured several police vehicles on the school's campus near the basketball courts and playground area.

According to a post on the Ramona Unified School District's Facebook page, the Vermont Street school bus stop has not been affected by the evacuation and has been confirmed safe by law enforcement.

We will provide more updates as further information becomes available.