Lompoc Police Arrest Suspect in Saturday Homicide

There’s a growing memorial at the corner of North M and Maple Streets in Lompoc for a 28 year old man known in the neighborhood as Jesus who was stabbed to death not far away.

A blood stain in the driveway marks the spot where he collapsed and died Saturday night.

“He was a very loving young man, I’ve known him most of my life, its really hard for me”, says San Silva who was among many in the neighborhood at home when it happened, “I heard a bunch of screaming around 9:20, I came out here and all I seen was Police and they told me that he had passed.”

Lompoc Police have charged 21 year old Edward Carter Jr. with the murder along with being part of a criminal street gang.

As to a motive for the deadly stabbing, Police aren’t saying just yet calling the case an ongoing investigation.

Lompoc Police Chief Pat Walsh is calling for calm in the community saysing crimes like Saturday night’s stabbing create anger, fear and the desire for retaliation.

Here is the complete text of Chief Walsh’s appeal to the community released with the most recent information about the homicide:

“It is at these times that the community must come together and be the calming voice to those who are affected. If you know someone who is affected by this crime and is suffering please seek help whether that be a clergy member, family intervention, close friends or other community services. You may also contact the Help Hotline at (805) 734-2711, which may assist in referring services. If you know of someone who is talking about future assaults or retaliation please call 911 or Lompoc Police at 875-8115.”

“Not too long we were having tension between the gangs and I’m sure it will flare up again”, says Lompoc native and mother Christie Wright who has seen her share of deadly violence over the years between Hispanic and African-American gang members.

“We all live here and we all need to be able to get along, nobody is better than nobody and its pretty sad”, Wright says, “we just need to love each other and get along.”

“I just feel that this community needs for everybody to come together and start stopping this kind of stuff, cause its getting out of control”, says San Silva who is helping organize a car wash on Saturday at the Sunshine Gas Station and Market at the corner of O and Laurel streets to help raise money for Jesus’ funeral and burial.

“Yeah, he was somebody’s son, somebody’s father and he didn’t deserve to go that way”, Silva says fighting back tears, “he was straight already, he was getting his life together, he was doing so good.”

Edward Carter Jr. could make his first court appearance as early as Tuesday for arraignment on the murder charge against him.

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Lompoc police have arrested Edward Dion Carter Jr., 21, in connection with a Saturday homicide in the City.

Police responded to the 400 block of North M Street on Saturday at about 9:00 p.m. They found a male who had been stabbed several times.

The victim was transported to Marian Hospital but died from his injuries.

Carter was booked at the Santa Barbara county Jail, and charged with murder.

Police are not releasing the name of the victim pending notification of next of kin, and are asking anyone with more information to contact them at 805-736-2341.