October 23, 2025 – Santa Barbara, CA – Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s detectives are continuing their investigation into an assault with a deadly weapon that resulting in an officer involved shooting.

The call began at 2:39 p.m. at Ralph’s grocery store in the 5100 block of Hollister Avenue as a report of a suspect actively assaulting a victim with a weapon. Prior to the deputies’ arrival, an adult male victim was stabbed twice and cut with a knife by an adult male suspect who fled into Ralph’s grocery store. Investigators also learned that the altercation was related to the suspect abusing the victim’s dog.

Related: Santa Barbara County Assault Call Ends in Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting in Goleta Grocery Store

The sequence of events that transpired after the deputies’ arrival and up to the officer involved shooting are part of the ongoing investigation. It is apparent that deputies contacted the adult male suspect inside the store and attempted to apprehend him; however, there was an altercation, and the suspect was shot. Deputies were not physically harmed, and the suspect was pronounced deceased at the scene. The stabbing victim was treated at an area hospital and has since been released. The victim’s dog was not injured.

Two deputies have been placed on paid administrative leave, in accordance with Sheriff’s Office policy. The identity of the suspect is pending notification to next of kin. The California Department of Justice assisted the Sheriff’s Forensics team with processing the crime scene but is not conducting the overall officer involved shooting pursuant to AB1506, as the criteria for this to occur was not present in this case. This incident remains under active investigation.

Source & photo: Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office