Two Suspects Arrested in Santa Barbara City College Stabbing, Police Announce

Two suspects have been arrested in connection with a stabbing reported last week on the East Campus of Santa Barbara City College (SBCC), Santa Barbara Police (SBPD) announced Tuesday.

According to SBPD, officers were dispatched at approximately 4:48 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, to the area near SBCC’s Earth and Biological Sciences building for a report of an assault with a deadly weapon.

An adult male victim was found with non-life-threatening lacerations to his upper body and was transported to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital. Police, fire, and medics rendered aid at the scene.

On Sunday, Feb. 23, at about 7:30 p.m., two suspects were arrested after being detained for criminal activity in the City of Ventura.

Police identified one suspect as Bryan Isaac Ramirez, 18, of Santa Barbara County. He was booked into Ventura County Jail on suspicion of felony assault with a deadly weapon and conspiracy related to the Santa Barbara case; a $250,000 bail enhancement was granted.

A male juvenile from Santa Barbara County was booked into Santa Barbara County Juvenile Hall on the same charges. Further investigation is underway to determine whether the assault was gang-related, police said.

SBPD noted there is no indication the incident is connected to the Feb. 20 shooting at Bohnett Park in Santa Barbara’s westside neighborhood.

In its initial response, SBPD said a verbal altercation among three males escalated into a physical fight, during which one person sustained lacerations. The suspects were last seen heading toward the West Campus Parking Structure and were described at the time as wearing black hoodies and black pants. Officers conducted an extensive search but did not locate them that day.

SBCC issued a “timely alert” at 5:16 p.m. on Feb. 18 advising those on the Cliff campus to shelter in place. Out of caution, the college canceled evening classes and closed the campus for the remainder of the day.

Police described the incident as isolated and said there was no ongoing threat to the public.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Santa Barbara Police Department at 805-897-2371.