Shouting that he was "fighting for freedom," the gunman approached Fire Station No. 2 , 1100 North D Street, at 4:30 p.m., and fired several rounds from a small caliber semi-automatic handgun into the building's front window, said Sgt. Michael Collins, of the Lompoc Police Department.
None of the three firefighters in the station were injured.
Charles Calvin Boler, 46, Lompoc, was stopped by two police officers less than half a block from the station, Collins said.
The suspect placed his gun on the sidewalk as police pulled up and didn't struggle or speak as he was arrested, said fire Battalion Chief Stan Hart, who was with police at the time.
Boler, who is being held at Lompoc Jail without bail, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and shooting into an inhabited dwelling. He is expected to be arraigned by Wednesday afternoon in the Santa Barbara County Superior Court in Lompoc.
The first shots whizzed past the head of a firefighter in the bedroom at the front of the station.
"He was working on his computer so his back was to the window. Two bullets went by his head and he dropped and took cover," said Hart.
The firefighter took cover in time to avoid four or five additional rounds. He locked the doors while the remaining two firefighters called police, Hart said.
"As soon as they realized what was going on, they hit the ground and retreated to the back of the station," Hart said.
The firefighter who was shot at was "handling it well, but shaken," according to Hart. Police chaplain Bernie Federmann spent Sunday evening with him.
Officials did not release the firefighter's name, but said Engineer Jeff Edman, firefighter Anthony Hudley and acting Capt. Chris Slavens were in the station during the incident.
Police are unsure of the gunman's motive, but Collins said, "He made a comment about 'fighting for freedom.'"
Hart said the fire department had never had contact with the suspect.
"We believe the victims and suspect were unknown to each other," Hart said. "We're thankful that nobody was hurt. We're viewing it as an isolated incident.
"It makes you wonder why anyone would target a fire station. It's the first time I've ever heard of someone firing into a station before," Hart said.
Collins said police have had prior contacts with Boler, but declined to say whether he has a criminal record or suffers from any mental problems.
"The only thing I can say is, he's done nothing like this before," Collins said.
Police said they were conducting lineups today with witnesses who drove past the station at the time of the incident.
Police said they had no immediate reason to believe that the event, or the man's comments about "fighting for freedom" were tied to today's election.
Immediately after the shooting, the fire department suspended taking calls as police investigated. Vandenberg Air Force Base covered for the station Sunday evening.
