Santa Barbara, Calif.  – Deputies have arrested a juvenile for a knife attack that has left another juvenile with injuries. On Tuesday, February 27, 2024, at approximately 1:32 p.m., deputies responded to the Turnpike Shopping Center for a report of a fight in progress. When they arrived, deputies found a male juvenile victim with a laceration to his hand. Additional juveniles who were involved in the altercation fled prior to deputies’ arrival.

Due to the proximity to campus and the seriousness of the crime they were actively investigating, deputies requested that San Marcos High School initiate “Secure” protocol. Students were directed to get inside and lock outside doors. The Standardized Response Protocol was recently adopted in a collaborative effort between area schools and law enforcement agencies to clearly identify protective actions to be taken during volatile or evolving situations.

At approximately 2:08 p.m., deputies contacted a male juvenile suspect on Hollister, west of Turnpike Road who matched the description of a suspect involved in the assault. The juvenile suspect was positively identified and subsequently arrested and the “Secure” was lifted at San Marcos High School. The disposition of the juvenile is pending at the time of this press release. The victim was released to his guardians and will be seeking medical attention on his own. This investigation remains ongoing.