Orcutt triple-homicide suspect convicted of domestic violence, banned from possessing firearm

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office released additional information Monday, shedding more light on Friday’s triple homicide case.

While many details surrounding the tragedy in Orcutt cannot be released or are yet to be determined, we’re learning more about the suspect, David McNabb.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, McNabb was not legally permitted to own or possess a firearm due to a 2014 domestic violence conviction.

Detectives are in the process of trying to determine the ownership of the rifle that he was armed with when confronted by deputies.

A release from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office states that After McNabb was shot by deputies with less lethal munitions, he remained armed and a threat to deputies. A total of two deputies deployed less lethal munitions and four deputies shot at McNabb.

Officials say all three victims lived at the residence and were brutally beaten and stabbed. Autopsies are pending but there is no preliminary evidence to indicate that any of the victims were shot.

According to the SBCSO, the person who called 9-1-1 lived at the residence in question and had returned home to find her friend, victim Nicole McNabb, covered with blood in the bathtub. She fled the home and called for help. Victim Carlos Echavarria also lived at the residence and was a friend of victim, Melanie McNabb.

The Sheriff’s Office says the motive for this brutal act of violence is still under investigation and has not been determined.

During the course of the investigation, detectives were also able to determine that the suspect’s younger brother, Brian McNabb, had also assaulted a family member at his home.

The 40-year-old Santa Maria man was arrested Sunday. He was booked at the Santa Barbara County Jail on charges of battery with serious bodily injury. He is being held on a $50,000 bail.

An autopsy for David McNabb is scheduled for Thursday, January 3, 2019.