A Santee business owner was arrested after deputies said he fired a gun and threatened sheriff's deputies during an incident near North Magnolia Avenue early Saturday morning. Patch, citing the San Diego County Sheriff's Office, reported that deputies were called just after 12:30 a.m. for possible gunshots.

Authorities said deputies saw a man later identified as Robert Sanford, 43, apparently armed with a handgun and entering his business suite on Rockville Street. Deputies also saw what appeared to be bullet holes in a parking sign in front of the suite, according to the sheriff's office.

Investigators later returned, gathered additional evidence and obtained a search warrant. With help from a SWAT team, deputies executed the warrant around 10:06 a.m. and took Sanford into custody without incident, officials said.

Patch reported that detectives recovered a 9mm handgun and multiple shell casings from the business. Authorities said Sanford was booked on suspicion of negligent discharge of a firearm and making threats against peace officers.

The case drew added attention because it happened in a commercial area of Santee, with a church located behind a nearby sign that deputies said appeared to have been struck. The investigation remains with the San Diego County Sheriff's Office.