Santa Barbara Man Arrested for Stalking in Isla Vista

Source: Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office

On Monday, March 18 at 10:12 p.m., detectives arrested 43-year-old Zachary Coughlin of Santa Barbara on a felony warrant for stalking. Detectives began investigating various reports regarding Coughlin on Thursday, May 14, 2020. Coughlin was living in a converted bus in the Isla Vista area and caught the attention of locals with his references on social media to the tragic mass murder that occurred in Isla Vista in 2014. His comments on social media also indicate that he
shared ideology with “involuntary celibate” (incel) community.

This investigation was handled by detectives from the Sheriff’s Special Investigation Bureau and involved interviews of witnesses, a behavioral threat assessment of the suspect, and combing through content from several social media accounts. Through their investigation, detectives established that Coughlin was stalking a woman in the Isla Vista area. Coughlin was booked at the Santa Barbara County Jail with a bail of $200,000 and his vehicle was towed incident to his arrest.

The Special Investigation Bureau is comprised of multiple units tasked with initiating investigations in various specialized fields requiring specialty-trained investigators using unique and specialized equipment, investigative, and surveillance techniques. These units are grouped together in one bureau so that all the investigators act as a force multiplier and assist each other in these investigations. The Special Investigation Bureau operates within the entire County of Santa Barbara,
working with all the law enforcement agencies within the County.

The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank everyone who reached out to us with their concerns. This investigation is ongoing and we encourage anyone with additional information to contact the Special Investigations Bureau via email at InfoSIB@sbsheriff.org.

Community Safety Update

Source: Isla Vista Community Services District

Over the weekend, we were contacted by many residents with safety concerns surrounding the “mirror van” and “Isla Vista Goth Dance Party” social media account. Isla Vista Community Services District staff immediately forwarded concerns posted on social media to law enforcement. The District has been informed today that an arrest has been made, and an investigation is ongoing.

This situation has created community concerns about stalking, sexual assault, and mentions of the May 23, 2014 Isla Vista tragedy.

“I recognize that this situation has created a lot of fear and anxiety in the community,” Board President Spencer Brandt said. “It is important that Isla Vista residents know that their voices will be heard when they come forward with public safety concerns.”

“Community members did the right thing by identifying a dangerous situation, reporting the situation to law enforcement, and making their neighbors aware of their concerns” Director Ethan Bertrand said. “This type of community collaboration is necessary for keeping Isla Vista safe.”

Understanding that the nature of this situation may be triggering for community members, we would like to remind the community about resources that are available.

UCSB’s Campus Advocacy, Resources, and Education (CARE) office is available to support community members in dealing with stalking and other interpersonal violence issues.

Standing Together to End Sexual Assault (STESA) is committed to empowering survivors and eliminating all forms of sexual violence in our community. STESA operates a Survivor Resource Center in Isla Vista.

The Isla Vista Community Services District contracts with the UC Santa Barbara Police Department for an Interpersonal Violence Investigator to serve the community of Isla Vista. In addition to investigating stalking, sexual assault, and other interpersonal violence crimes in Isla Vista, Detective Kovena Avila also conducts prevention efforts through community outreach.