Stabbing on the Westside

A male teen is in stable condition at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital after being stabbed in what police are calling a gang confrontation on the Westside Tuesday night. The suspects in the case were able to flee, while police arrested three male companions of the victim for fighting in furtherance of a street gang.

Police say that just after 9 p.m. they responded to a call of a fight in the street at 1200 San Pascual Street near Bohnett Park, a known Westside gang hangout. According to police spokesperson Lt. Paul McCaffrey, the suspect group passed by the victim’s group in a light-colored SUV, taunting them with gang slogans and challenges to fight. They stopped and a group got out and attacked the victim, whose companions threw rocks and pieces of concrete at the vehicle. “Police gang experts believe the victim and his companions’ gang affiliation compelled them to participate in the fight and escalate the confrontation,” McCaffrey said. The fight was brief, and the members of the opposing group got into the SUV and took off.

The victim, who sustained several stab wounds, was found at the doorstep of a residence in the 600 block of West Sola Street, around the block from where the fight was said to have occurred. He was conscious, McCaffrey said, and spoke with police. His friends had also fled the area, but were located in the 700 block of West Sola Street, and eventually arrested.

The two men arrested are 18-year-old Daniel Gallegos and 20-year-old Juan Gomez. They were booked into County Jail, while a 14-year-old male was released to his parents. The three, along with the victim, are alleged by police to be gang members.

Police encourage anyone with information on the case to call (805) 897-2355.