Shortly after midnight on October 4, 2025, deputies responded to a large altercation on the 6700 block of Del Playa Drive in Isla Vista, California. When they arrived, law enforcement found two men with stab wounds. Both victims were taken to a local hospital and are expected to recover. The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office reported that several suspects may have been involved. Authorities are seeking witnesses and any cell phone footage to help the investigation. No arrests have been made. Officials said there is no current threat to the community.
The incident happened a few days after the release of the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (ASFSR) for the 2025–2026 academic year. Interim Chief of Police Matthew Bly said the university is working with students and community leaders to improve safety and reduce crime.
Recent crime statistics show mixed trends in Isla Vista and Santa Barbara County. Reported crimes in Isla Vista fell by 4 percent, from 233 in 2023 to 224 in 2024. However, violent offenses, especially aggravated assaults, increased by 22 percent in the same period. Across the county, overall crime dropped by 17 percent from 2022 to 2023, but aggravated assaults rose from 174 to 209…