Armed suspect injures Santa Barbara police officers while resisting arrest

{Editor's Note} On Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, the Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office confirmed that the charges initially brought against Dominic Sanginiti in connection with this incident were dismissed.

The original version of the April 2020 article is shown below.

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Two Santa Barbara police officers required immediate medical care after sustaining injuries while attempting to subdue and arrest an armed and reportedly intoxicated man Saturday night.

Around 11:40 p.m., Santa Barbara Harbor Patrol Officers said they saw two men having a verbal altercation in the Harbor Parking Lot on the 100 Block of Harbor Way.

The patrol officers requested assistance from the Santa Barbara Police Department when one of the men became uncooperative.

A Police Supervisor and Officer arrived at the scene within minutes and noted that one of the men, later identified as 35-year-old Dominic Sanginiti, appeared to be the main aggressor and was heavily intoxicated.

While the two police officers attempted to calm Sanginiti, they said they saw a handgun holster attached to Sanginiti's hip and a knife sticking out of his pants pocket.

Police said Sanginiti was uncooperative and moved his hands in a menacing fashion while backing away from them. This is when officers requested additional units respond to the scene with their lights and sirens on.

The two officers on scene decided to try to subdue and detain Sanginiti for fear that he might reach for one of his weapons, however, they said Sanginiti took a combative stance and actively fought them.

One of the Harbor Patrol Officers on scene tased Sanginiti which helped the police officers take him to the ground.

While on the ground, the officers saw a black handgun tucked in the back of Sanginiti's waistband.

Police said Sanginiti aggressively attacked and punched both officers while trying to fight them off, but the officers continued struggling with Sanginiti to keep him from reaching for his weapons.

Finally, more officers arrived on scene and helped subdue Sanginiti enough for handcuffs to be places on his wrists. His loaded handgun was also removed.

The Santa Barbara Police Department reports the two officers who struggled with Sanginiti sustained a dislocation and a broken bone which both required immediate medical care.

Sanginiti was arrested for resisting causing serious bodily injury to an officer, resisting by means of force, battery on a peace officer, carrying a loaded firearm, carrying a concealed firearm, resisting arrest and public intoxication.

He was booked into Santa Barbara County Jail and is awaiting arraignment.