Armed Man Arrested Near Upscale Golf Club

Sean Steiner, a highly armed individual from Glendale, is facing several felony firearm charges after reportedly wandering into a well-known neighborhood in Los Angeles. He was dressed in body armor and was carrying various weapons, including a rifle decorated with “Joker” imagery and phrases.

The incident took place on Palos Verdes Drive South, close to the luxurious Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles in Rancho Palos Verdes. Police were alerted by a concerned caller about a man sporting a rifle-compatible bulletproof vest near a hiking trail.

According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Steiner had previously been observed hiking in the vicinity. He was wearing gloves, carrying a duffel bag, and had protective gear that could withstand rifle rounds.

Things escalated when officers spotted him running in the road, leading to his arrest.

Upon his apprehension, officials revealed that Steiner was armed with a semi-automatic short-barreled rifle with a fully loaded magazine, in addition to a loaded revolver. The rifles were painted in green and purple and featured phrases like “Why so serious?” and “Let’s put a smile on that face,” reflecting the Joker character.

Authorities also found additional weapons, which included two loaded handguns, high-capacity magazines, more ammunition, a ballistic vest, and an AR-style pistol designed to look like a toy with an orange tip.

Prosecutors mentioned that just before his arrest, Steiner confessed to firing a shot at a nearby landslide, claiming he was “trying to vent his anger.”

Thanks to vigilant callers and the “See Something, Say Something” initiative, officials believe they were able to prevent a potentially dangerous situation from worsening. They noted that deputies managed to intervene in the busy area before anyone got hurt.

There have been other recent incidents at Trump’s Rancho Palos Verdes golf club, including protests and a reported assault in December 2024 where a man was left unconscious.

In a related note, the Secret Service shot and killed Austin Tucker Martin at Mar-a-Lago in February 2026, while Ryan Wesley Routh was sentenced to life imprisonment for an assassination attempt in West Palm Beach in 2024.