Santa Maria Police Arrest Two Teens Connected to Shooting

By the Santa Maria Police Department

Case #SMPD23-0009118
On Friday, August 11, 2023, at about 11:58 am, the Santa Maria Police Department (SMPD) responded to a shooting that occurred near the intersection of Broadway and Mill Steet. Initial responding officers were able to verify that a shooting had occurred and located an 18-year-old male suffering from gunshot wounds. Officers learned that two suspects physically assaulted the victim prior to one of the suspects shooting the victim. The victim was transported to Marian Regional Medical centered where he was treated for his injuries and later released.

The SMPD Detective Bureau took over the investigation and the two suspects were subsequently identified in this case. The suspects were identified as a 17-year-old male juvenile (Lompoc resident) and a 16-year-old male juvenile (Santa Maria resident). Search and arrest warrants were obtained for both suspects in this case.

During the early morning hours of Thursday, August 17, 2023, the SMPD Detective Bureau, with assistance from the Santa Maria Police Department SWAT Team and the Lompoc Police Department, conducted a search and arrest warrant operation in the 300 block of Amherst Place in Lompoc. As a result, the 17-year-old suspect in this case was taken into custody without incident.

On Friday morning, August 25, 2023, the SMPD Detective Bureau with assistance from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department, took the 16-year-old suspect into custody in the Orcutt area without incident.

Both juveniles were booked into the Santa Maria Juvenile Hall. The 17-year-old was booked for attempted murder and a gang enhancement. The 16-year-old was booked for assault with a deadly weapon and a gang enhancement.

Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to please contact Detective Juan Rubio at (805) 928 – 3781 ext. 1682 or the Communications Center at ext. 2277.