Downtown Fight, Stabbing Appear to be Related

Yet another gang fight broke out downtown on Tuesday night, this time inside Rusty’s Pizza, located at 15 E. Cabrillo Blvd. across from Stearns Wharf. Santa Barbara police received several 911 calls from customers and employees at the restaurant at 8:25 p.m., after a fight involving several suspects outside the restaurant quickly moved inside.

The fight lasted only one or two minutes, but witnesses reported at least two people brandishing knives and others throwing chairs. No customers or employees were injured in the fight, and the suspects left on foot and in vehicles.

Not long after, according to police, another fight – which appears to be related – broke out at 200 Castillo St. Police responded to that fight as well. No arrests were made in either incident.

Fifteen minutes after the fight at Rusty’s was reported, police received a call from the staff at Cottage Hospital, who informed them that a stab wound victim by the name of Robert Joseph Martinez, 20, had just been admitted. Martinez had three wounds to his upper left arm and chest, described by police as “slashing” type wounds that were not life threatening. He is a known gang member and wasn’t cooperative with police, who believe his injuries were connected to the fight.