Alleged Gang Member Arrested for Cacique Street Murder

[Update: June 6, 2019, 5:20 p.m.] Santa Barbara Police Department released the names of the codefendants alleged to have been involved in the Torres homicide: Angel Barajas (31); Adelain Ibarra (20); Alondra Ocha (18); and a female juvenile.

[Original Story] Santa Barbara police have made an arrest in the murder of Alberto Torres, who was stabbed to death at around 1:15 a.m. Saturday on the city’s Eastside.

According to the County Jail’s daily intake report, Igor Ortiz, age 20, was booked shortly before midnight Wednesday on one count of murder with the special allegation he committed the crime as a member of a street gang.

Prosecutor Kim Siegel said there are “several defendants” in the case, but citing the open investigation, declined to comment further. Police spokesperson Anthony Wagner also declined to comment.

Police said Torres, whose moniker was “Lil’ Rascal,” was attacked by multiple assailants in the 1300 block of Cacique Street and received at least nine stab wounds. He lost consciousness at the scene and later died at Cottage Hospital.

Court records show Ortiz has been convicted of multiple felonies since 2018, including for assault, robbery, and evading police. He is scheduled to be arraigned Friday morning.

This is a developing story. Check back for additional details as they become available.

Correction: The article was corrected June 6. Ortiz is 20 years old, not 19.