Police name suspect in Santa Barbara New Year’s Eve beach stabbing

The Santa Barbara Police Department is investigating a stabbing that occurred at Leadbetter Beach on New Year’s Eve. On Tuesday, investigators identified the suspect.

Police say Nichole Ann Ortiz, 36, stabbed another woman in the torso and leg when a gathering of local transients at Leadbetter Beach led to an argument. Both, the victim and suspect, knew each other say police.

The victim was taken to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.

Ortiz is described as 5-feet 5-inches tall, weighs 130 pounds, has shoulder-length brown hair and hazel eyes.

Police say Ortiz is known to frequent Santa Barbara’s Eastside and the Milpas Street corridor and believe she is a transient herself.

The police department advises anyone who sees Ortiz call 911 immediately. A $30,000 warrant has been issued for her arrest.