Santa Barbara, Calif.  – Deputies have arrested a juvenile for assaulting two other juveniles with a deadly weapon. On Friday, March 8, 2024, at approximately 8:31 a.m., deputies responded to the 4600-block of Chilon Way for an assault that had just occurred. When they arrived, deputies found a 17-year-old female juvenile victim with a non-life threatening wound to her leg, and a 17-year-old male juvenile with a non-life threatening wound to his arm. The suspect fled prior to deputies’ arrival. The victims were transported by ambulance to an area hospital for care.

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.

The 16-year-old male juvenile suspect was quickly identified by detectives and voluntarily surrendered at Sheriff’s Headquarters where he was arrested at 10:12 a.m. The “Secure” protocol was lifted at San Marcos High School around that same time. The juvenile suspect was booked at the Santa Maria Juvenile Hall for assault with a deadly weapon. This investigation remains ongoing.