Sean Steiner, a Glendale resident heavily armed with firearms, is now facing several felony charges after deputies reported his presence in a prominent Los Angeles neighborhood. Dressed in body armor, he carried a range of weapons, notably a rifle adorned with “Joker” themed images and inscriptions.
The situation developed near Palos Verdes Drive South, close to the upscale Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles in Rancho Palos Verdes. Authorities were alerted by a caller who spotted a man in rifle-resistant body armor near hiking paths.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department shared that Steiner had been observed earlier, hiking in the area with gloves, a duffle bag, a step stool, and a rifle, all while clad in gear designed to withstand rifle fire.
The situation intensified when deputies discovered him darting through traffic, leading to his eventual apprehension.
Upon his arrest approximately a week ago, Steiner was reportedly in possession of a loaded semi-automatic short-barreled rifle, with a round already chambered and the magazine fully loaded, along with a loaded revolver.
The rifle featured a green and purple paint job and was inscribed with phrases like “Why so serious?” and “Let’s put a smile on that face,” giving it a distinctive “Joker”-inspired look.
Investigators also recovered additional firepower, including two loaded handguns, high-capacity magazines, extra ammunition, a ballistic vest and an AR-style pistol with an orange tip designed to resemble a toy weapon.
Deputies further allege Steiner admitted to firing one of the pistols in a nearby landslide area shortly before his arrest, saying he was trying to “get some anger out.”
Authorities credited a quick-thinking caller and the “See Something, Say Something” initiative for helping prevent a potentially dangerous situation from escalating, noting that deputies were able to intervene in a populated area before anyone was injured.
Other recent incidents at Trump’s Rancho Palos Verdes site include a “No Kings” protest in March where opposing demonstrators squared off, and an assault where a man was knocked unconscious reported in December 2024.
In Florida, the Secret Service fatally shot Austin Tucker Martin at Mar-a-Lago in February 2026, and Ryan Wesley Routh was recently sentenced to life for a 2024 assassination attempt in West Palm Beach.
