Sheriff’s Office investigates assault at Isla Vista Park
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a potential hate crime in an Isla Vista Park that could be gang related.
Two victims were sent to the hospital after a group of men attacked them at Estero Park in Isla Vista Saturday night.
UCSB Police Officers responded to an area hospital to a report of two victims of an assault around 9:30 p.m. The male victims said they had been attacked in the park by a group of 6 to 10 Hispanic male juveniles. At least one of the suspects is reported to have been armed with a dark-colored baton which was used in the attack. One of the victims, a 21-year old UCSB student, received a large laceration to his scalp and a broken jaw. The second victim, a 22-year old male, received a cut lip, welts across his back, and an injured shoulder.
The Sheriff’s Office says the suspects fled the scene when a bicyclist drove into the park, saw what happened, and began yelling. After the suspects fled, the victims flagged down a passing car and got a ride to the hospital.
The Sheriff’s Office says it’s investigating this case as a possible gang-related crime and potentially a hate crime. Sexual derogatory comments were made toward one of the victim’s sexual orientation during the assault.
Community leaders are speaking out and saying enough is enough.
“It’s absolutely unacceptable that members of our LGBT community are facing violence here,” said Ethan Bertrand, Board President, Isa Vista Community Services District.
Unfortunately, Bertrand knows all too well what it’s like to be the victim of homophobia.
“I’m someone who has experienced acts of hate, just on State Street this past November and it’s something that always hurts,” said Bertrand.
Bertrand is calling on Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office to do more.
“There’s been an uptick in gang violence and it’s important that the public knows that. Unfortunately, I don’t think the Sheriffs Office has done the right job with being proactive on this front as well as notifying the public about the threats that exist,” said Bertrand.
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office released the following statement in response to Bertrand’s call to action.
“We are aware of increased gang activity in the Isla Vista area and surrounding area. Detectives have been assigned to investigate and are proactively investigating these cases and circumstances. Just a few weeks ago the sheriffs office conducted a probation search of known gang members in the Isla Vista and surrounding area. In addition, the Isla Vista Foot patrol has increased gang enforcement in the area.”
The Sheriff’s Office says as of this time, there is no evidence to confirm the suspects had knowledge of their sexual orientation or that is is what motivated the attack.
“Even in 2018 members of our LGBTQ community still face so much discrimination,” said Bertrand. “There’s just so much that members put up with and we as a community including her straight allies need to come together and say this is not acceptable,” he said.
