Suspected Gang Members Arrested for 2021 Westside Drive-By

Source: Santa Barbara Police Department

On September 22, 2021, a drive-by shooting occurred in the area of 1200 San Andres Street. During the investigation officers and detectives learned a 16-year-old juvenile had been struck with a small caliber rifle round in the abdomen and was transported to Cottage Hospital for emergency medical treatment. The juvenile who was stuck by the bullet was not affiliated with any gangs and this shooting appears to be a random act of violence.

Detectives continued to investigate leads into this attempted murder and learned the identities of the shooter and driver of the “get-away” vehicle. Detectives authored several search and arrest warrants that were authorized by a judge for the suspected driver, Nicolas Fairbanks, a 22-year-old Santa Barbara resident, and the believed shooter, Antonio Aguayo, a 26-year-old Santa Barbara resident.

Fairbanks was located and arrested in the 200 block of Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, on January 11, 2022, for Attempt Murder (felony), Gang Enhancement (felony), Firearm Enhancement (felony), and Using a Firearm Causing Great Bodily Injury (felony). Fairbanks was booked in the Santa Barbara County Jail on $1,100,000 bail.

While serving the search warrant, a rifle was located and seized as evidence, which appears to be the same rifle used during this crime.

Aguayo was contacted by Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office for an unrelated matter when deputies discovered the outstanding warrant for his arrest. SBSO took Aguayo into custody on January 17, 2022, in 400 block of Glen Annie, Goleta. SBSO transferred Aguayo to SBPD Detectives, and he was booked for Attempt Murder (felony), Gang Enhancement (felony), Firearm Enhancement (felony), and Using a Firearm Causing Great Bodily Injury (felony). His bail was also set at $1,100,000. Aguayo had recently been discharged from California State Parole.

Due to the age of the victim, their name will not be released. Both Fairbanks and Aguayo are known members of a local criminal street gang.

September 27, 2021: Verbal Altercation Results in Shooting