Man Surrenders After Terrorist Threats, Firing Gun: Petaluma PD

PETALUMA, CA — A Petaluma man accused of making terrorist threats Sunday against his neighbor was taken into custody after a three-hour standoff, police said.

The Petaluma Police Department initially responded at 10:21 a.m. Sunday to a 911 call that a man was armed with a shotgun was walking on Wallace Court and had fired off at least one round on the cul-de-sac off Bodega Avenue, according to Petaluma police Sgt. Patrick Gerke.

Officers were not immediately able to find the suspect, identified as 31-year-old Zachary Lindenbusch, when they got to Wallace Court so the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office sent a helicopter crew and deputies to assist with the search.

California Highway Patrol officers also helped Petaluma police search for Lindenbusch.

Police learned that earlier in the day, Lindenbusch became upset with one of his neighbors on Wallace Court and went to the victim’s home to confront him, Gerke said.

"While at the victim’s residence Lindenbusch threatened to kill the victim, but then went back to his home," Gerke said. "Lindenbusch later returned to the victim’s residence and fired at least one round from a handgun."

Police could not find where the bullet went once it was fired, and said no one was injured by the gunfire.

After unsuccessfully searching for Lindenbusch, police determined he'd gone inside his residence after firing the gun.

The Petaluma Police Department Crisis Response Unit responded, and after approximately three hours, was able to make telephone contact with Lindenbusch.

Lindenbusch agreed to come outside, at which point he was safely taken into custody.

A loaded assault rifle was found outside of Lindenbusch's residence, leaning against the side of the house, Gerke said.

Inside the house, officers found five rifles, a handgun, a shotgun and numerous rounds of ammunition, Gerke said.

Lindenbusch was booked into the Sonoma County Jail on suspicion of terrorist threats, negligent discharge of a firearm, and violation of probation. Jail records showed he was being held in lieu of $120,000 bail as of Monday morning.