By SDCN Editor
Vista, CA–A man was arrested on suspicion of possessing a ‘ghost gun’ and threatening people with a firearm, authorities said.
Christopher Loftis, 45 was booked into the Vista Detention Facility on charges of assault with a deadly weapon, possessing an assault weapon, and owning or possessing a gun without a serial number.
On May 15, Sheriff’s deputies responded to 9-1-1 calls about a man chasing people with a gun in the 2000 block of Primrose Avenue in the unincorporated area of Vista around 7:30 p.m.
The man left the scene in a pickup truck but returned riding an off-road motorcycle. Witnesses say he confronted four people and threatened them with the gun before riding away from the area.
Deputies contacted the four victims who provided a description of the suspect and his direction of travel. Contrary to social media posts, witnesses confirmed to deputies no shots were fired at any time, and no one was hurt.
With the information provided by witnesses, deputies searched the surrounding neighborhood and located the suspect’s house. Deputies served a search warrant and found a stash of weapons including rifles, shotguns, and handguns. Hundreds of rounds of ammunition and tactical vests were also found.
Two of the firearms seized were privately manufactured or commonly referred to as ghost guns. Unlike legal, commercially manufactured firearms, ghost guns are not marked with serial numbers. Authorities can’t track their origins or their owners, making it difficult for law enforcement to investigate or solve a crime.
The investigation is continuing.
