Deputies find gun in Newhall

Calls of gunshots prompt local law enforcement officials to probe area

For two days in a row, Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s deputies responded to calls of gunshots in Newhall. While no victims of gunfire have been found thus far, they retrieved a gun Monday.

Sheriff’s Station officials said deputies are still trying to determine the nature of the reports. Although a handgun was found in the bushes near the intersection of Ficus Drive and Bottletree Lane, in Newhall, deputies’ investigative efforts to date have yielded no confirmed reports of a victim of gunfire in the area, which includes a search of the neighborhood and local medical facilities. They’ve also yet to find recent damage from gunfire where it was being reported.

Three men found near the gun’s location were detained, questioned and released Monday after deputies were unable to connect them to the weapon, according to Lt. Andrew Dahring of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station.

For two days prior, deputies had responded to the same area regarding the reports, which also are frequently found to be fireworks during the summer.

On Sunday afternoon, people reported what they believed was the sound of gunfire off of Trumpet Drive.

On Monday, shortly before noon, deputies received reports of people—again—hearing gunfire in the area of Race Street and 2nd Street in Newhall.

“People thought they heard gunshots,” Lt. Doug Mohrhoff told The Signal Monday.

“We had a number of deputies respond but there is no suspect and no evidence of gunfire,” he said.

On Sunday, according to Lt. Andrew Dahring, the shots could have also been firecrackers, though several residents reported hearing gunshots near Valle Del Oro in Newhall in a Facebook post in a local emergency group.

Officials reported that they found no evidence of fireworks being ignited.