Santa Barbara Man Pleads Guilty in Fatal 2019 Stabbing

By the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office

Santa Barbara County District Attorney Joyce E. Dudley announced [Wednesday] that Igor Ortiz pled guilty to the willful, premeditated and deliberate murder of Alberto Torres, in violation of Penal Code section 187, first degree murder.

Ortiz also admitted that he used a knife in the commission of the murder and committed the murder in association with members of the Westside criminal street gang for the benefit of the Westside gang.

During the early morning hours of June 1, 2019, Mr. Torres walked home to his residence on the 1300 block of Cacique Street after finishing his shift at a restaurant in downtown Santa Barbara. Just yards from his home, Mr. Torres was attacked by Ortiz and an accomplice.

During the attack, Ortiz and his accomplice repeatedly stabbed Mr. Torres, killing him. The Santa Barbara Police Department investigated the case.

Ortiz will be sentenced on February 8, 2023 in Department 2 of the Superior Court in Santa Barbara. At that time, Ortiz will be sentenced to 25 years to life in state prison.

June 1, 2019: Five Arrested in Eastside Stabbing Death