Two Schools on Lockdown
Alleged Stabbing Temporarily Shuttered Up San Marcos and El Camino schools
San Marcos High School and El Camino Elementary School were put on precautionary lockdown this afternoon for about 30 minutes after a verbal argument between transients on Granny Field escalated. One allegedly stabbed another and then allegedly hit an intervener in the head with a blunt object. The stabbing victim asked a passerby to call 911, which is when the Sheriff’s Department responded at 1:17 p.m., according to a spokesperson. “Granny Field” refers to the open space behind Turnpike Shopping Center. The stabbing victim was taken to Cottage Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening conditions.
Sheriff’s deputies arrested a suspect named Luis Velasquez after searching the field, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Detectives, patrolmen, dogs, and a helicopter were all employed in the search for Velazquez, who was hiding out in a homeless encampment. The 30-year-old was charged with assault with a deadly weapon and booked into the Santa Barbara County jail. Bail was set at $30,000.00