Authorities release additional details in Orcutt triple homicide

As the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate a grisly triple homicide and officer-involved shooting in Orcutt, authorities have released additional details on the investigation.

Two deputies fired a total of six less-lethal munitions at the suspect, 43-year-old David McNabb, including two foam baton rounds and four shotgun beanbag rounds during the confrontation on Dec. 28, 2018, in the 5900 block of Oakhill Road, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

“The suspect moved and the rifle was pointed in the direction of the deputies, who perceived a lethal threat. Four deputies then fired a total of 23 .223 rifle rounds at the suspect. The firearm that McNabb was in possession of when he was confronted by deputies, a Browning .243 caliber lever-action rifle, was subsequently found to be unloaded. It appears to have belonged to the suspect’s late father,” said a statement released by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.

An autopsy determined that McNabb died as a result of multiple gunshot wounds. Authorities say he was struck at least twice by less-lethal rounds and that he suffered five gunshot wounds. The final autopsy report is pending toxicology results.

The Sheriff’s Office says one additional autopsy was conducted on Friday, Jan. 4 and two more are scheduled next week to determine the cause and manner of death of the three homicide victims: Nicole McNabb, Melanie McNabb and Carlos Echavarria. Preliminary reports indicate that the victims did not suffer any gunshot wounds but died as a result of being stabbed and/or severely beaten.

A motive for the killings remains under investigation.