Santa Barbara County Sheriff: Fifth and Final Suspect Arrested in 2025 Juvenile Homicide

Santa Barbara County sheriff’s detectives have arrested a fifth and final suspect in connection with the fatal stabbing of a 17-year-old on April 30, 2025, near San Simeon Drive and Turnpike Road, marking a major milestone in a yearlong investigation that has now identified and apprehended all alleged participants.

In a statement released June 2, 2026, Sheriff Bill Brown credited investigators’ persistence and collaboration with prosecutors for the series of arrests that unfolded over the past year.

“This case is a testament to the determination and professionalism of our detectives,” Brown said. “Even after the initial arrests were made, investigators remained steadfast in their commitment to uncovering every person’s role in this homicide. Their persistence over the past year ensured that all those believed to be responsible have been identified and held accountable through the criminal justice process.” He added that while nothing can reverse the family’s loss, the latest arrest should reassure the community that the case was never forgotten.

Detectives took the fifth suspect, a 16-year-old male juvenile, into custody on May 28, 2026, at a residence in the 900-block of San Pascual Street in Santa Barbara on suspicion of murder and conspiracy. At the time of his arrest, he was on juvenile probation and wearing a GPS monitor for unrelated offenses, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Juvenile court proceedings are pending, including an allegation of murder with a gang enhancement. Due to the involvement of minors, authorities are not releasing additional identifying information for the juvenile suspects.

The latest arrest caps a timeline of investigative developments that began shortly after the killing and spanned multiple agencies and court jurisdictions.

On June 16, 2025, detectives arrested 24-year-old Antonio Sanabia Garcia at his residence in the 500-block of West Gutierrez Street in Santa Barbara, booking him on charges of murder and conspiracy. The Sheriff’s Office said Garcia later pleaded guilty to charges.

That same day, detectives arrested a 16-year-old male juvenile at a residence in the 500-block of West Canon Perdido Street on suspicion of murder and conspiracy; his case has since concluded in juvenile court.

Also on June 16, detectives served an arrest warrant on a second 16-year-old male juvenile who was already being held at the Santa Maria Juvenile Detention Facility on unrelated charges. He was booked for murder, and proceedings in that case remain ongoing, including a pending petition seeking to transfer the matter to adult court.

As leads continued to develop, detectives identified an additional suspect, 20-year-old Adelfo Calles. He was contacted on July 24, 2025, in the 900-block of Jimeno Road in Santa Barbara and booked on suspicion of murder and conspiracy. Calles was subsequently released pending review by the District Attorney’s Office. After a warrant was issued, the Santa Barbara Police Department re-arrested Calles on May 9, 2026. His case remains pending before the court.

The Sheriff’s Office first publicly detailed the homicide on May 1, 2025, the day after the attack. At approximately 8:48 p.m. on April 30, deputies responded alongside fire and medical personnel to a report of a subject down in the roadway near San Simeon and Turnpike. They learned the victim had been stabbed and that several male subjects had fled before first responders arrived.

A perimeter was established with assistance from a Sheriff’s K9 unit and allied agencies, but no suspects were located during the initial search. The victim, who had been transported to a local hospital with serious injuries, died at approximately 9:33 p.m. At that time, investigators urged anyone with information to contact detectives or provide tips anonymously.

Although all five suspects have now been arrested, the Sheriff’s Office emphasized that the investigation remains active as the criminal cases progress. Authorities noted that, because several suspects are juveniles, they will not be releasing further identifying details.