Santa Barbara Police launch hunt for suspects in fatal shooting
A 21-year-old man is dead from multiple gunshot wounds and Santa Barbara Police have launched a major effort to find out who is responsible. Extra detectives have been called in to follow up on leads.
Police Sgt. Riley Harwood said investigators were “working the scene non-stop since the incident happened.”
The shooting took place on Olive Street near Carrillo about 7:15 p.m. Tuesday night. Police say the victim “was pronounced dead at the hospital at 7:55 p.m.”
Neighborhood leaders say the killing was a shock. Santa Barbara has not had a gunshot victim since May, 2009.
“It’s so alarming for so many residents that I’ve spoken to,” said Christina Pizarro with the Coalition Against Gun Violence.
The name of the victim has not been released. Police say they know who he is and where he lived. For now, they are keeping that sealed, while they investigate.
“I think we should re-engage the neighborhoods. Northside, Westside, Eastside, or the Riviera whatever you call it. We really need to do what we’ve done for years,” said Pizarro. “Getting to know your neighbors. Report things that are suspicious.”
She said there is a sense of accountability, that the leaders are demanding as a community in the area of public safety.
Thursday night, there will be a town hall meeting hosted by the Coalition Against Gun Violence entitled “The High Cost of Gun Violence.” It will be held at the library’s Faulkner Gallery and it begins at 6:30 p.m. Mayor Helene Schneider will be the moderator.
