[UPDATE, 1:45 p.m.:] Police have released the identities of three of the four suspects and their charges. They are as follows: Sean Crane, 23, charged with attempted murder; Eddie Mesa Jr., 23, charged with accessory to attempted murder; Michael Hardy, 22, charged with assault with a deadly weapon and parole violation. All three will be arraigned today in Santa Barbara Superior Court. The investigation is ongoing, said police, and the suspects’ mug shots are not being released. The identity of the fourth suspect taken into custody is also being withheld.
[ORIGINAL REPORT]: Four men have been arrested in connection with what police are calling an attempted homicide last Friday night on the lower Mesa. The suspects’ names are being withheld as detectives continue their investigation. The arrestees are all between 22 and 24 years old.
The fight occurred just before midnight outside a residence at 1037 Del Mar Avenue, leaving two men — a 23-year-old and a 40-year-old — with stab wounds. The 23-year-old victim was treated for his injuries and released, but the 40-year-old victim was transported to Cottage Hospital with life-threatening injuries.
According to police, the victims were at a party in the residence when they started arguing with several men. A fight began outside, and the suspects fled after the assault. After gathering enough evidence to secure search warrants, teams of detectives were led to several Santa Barbara-area locations where they made the arrests.
Anyone with information on this case is urged to contact Detective Katsapis at (805) 897-2335.