Shovel attack in Carpinteria lands man in jail on Memorial Day

A Ventura man faces attempted murder charges after a shovel attack at a McDonald’s parking lot in Carpinteria on Memorial Day.

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office says 44-year-old Travis John Wheeler had been waiting for the victim, a 48-year-old Carpinteria man, in the McDonald’s parking lot located at 1115 Casitas Pass Road prior to the Sheriff’s Office receiving the emergency call at 6:50 a.m.

“Once Wheeler saw the victim enter the parking lot on his bicycle, he allegedly attacked the victim, knocking the victim off of his bicycle while swinging the shovel at the victim’s head and chest,” said a statement from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.

The statement continued, “Shortly after deputies arrived in the area, a deputy assigned to the City of Carpinteria witnessed a male suspect standing over a 48-year-old male Carpinteria resident while holding a folding shovel over his head. Deputies were able to convince the suspect to move away from the injured victim and to put the shovel down.”

Authorities say Wheeler and the victim knew each other.

The victim suffered injuries to his hands, arms, and legs while defending himself in the attack. Although paramedics took a look at the victim’s injuries at the scene, he did not wish to be taken to the hospital.

Wheeler was arrested for Attempted Homicide. He was booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail and is being held on $1,000,000 million dollars bail.

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office at 805-681-4100. To leave an anonymous tip, call 805-681-4171