Man Arrested in Gang-Related Fatal Stabbing

An investigation leads police to 19-year-old Javier Venegas of Santa Maria

By | Published on 02.04.2010

  • E-mail
  • Print this page Print
  • Post | View Comments (6)
  • Share
 

Javier Venegas
Javier Venegas

Santa Maria police on Wednesday charged a man they believe is responsible for a gang-related fatal stabbing in December on the 2200 block of North Easy Street.

Detectives with the gang suppression team said their investigation of the Dec. 12, 2009, death of 18-year-old Erik Alonso, led them to Javier Venegas, 19, of Santa Maria.

He was arrested the night after the stabbing for an unrelated probation violation and robbery charge, and was booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail, where he has remained in custody.

During their investigation, gang detectives said they were able to gather enough evidence to charge Venegas in the stabbing. He was booked Thursday at the county jail for one count of murder and one count of the gang enhancement of street terrorism.

Officials said Alonso and Venegas were members of rival gangs.

Noozhawk managing editor Michelle Nelson can be reached at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Comments

Noozhawk's comments are moderated, but by posting here you accept your responsibility to follow our rules as part of Noozhawk's shared online community. Please keep your comments civil and helpful. Don't attack other readers personally, and do not use vulgar, abusive or discriminatory language. Use the "Report Abuse" link if a comment violates these standards or our Terms of Use.

You must be a registered user to comment. Create a user account

Log in




Auto-login on future visits

Forgot your password?

» on 02.04.10 @ 03:28 PM

Arrest and deport illegals and their anchor babies go home—gang injuntions—please liberals—it could be your kids next..

You don't have permission to flag this entry.

» on 02.04.10 @ 06:17 PM

Noozhawk should report immigration status of violators of ALL races (and their parents!) for two reasons:

1)People like the above commentor would not be able to jump to conclusions if the violator is a legal citizen.

2)If the bulk of the gang problem IS in fact due to illegal immigration we citizens need the facts to deal with the problem!

I hope that we are not committing suicide or endangering lives for fear of being perceived as profiling. If that is the case then PLEASE report the status of every violator, white, green or purple.

This is TRULY a serious matter of life and death. Please explain, Noozhawk why this is “taboo” information. What are you afraid of? The job of journalism is to get facts to the public so they can make informed decisions.

[Noozhawk’s note: The information is not “taboo,” and we’re not afraid to publish it. When we have such information, we include it. We can only report the information released to us.]

You don't have permission to flag this entry.

» on 02.04.10 @ 10:46 PM

The people of santa barbara and calif are sick of punks in gangs—lets take them out and thin the weak heard—for our kids..
The clown outfits are funny looking—but serious..

You don't have permission to flag this entry.

» on 02.04.10 @ 11:15 PM

Thank you for the explanation, it is long overdue. The fault then must lie with law enforcement. I think then that they should be pressured into revealing the information. There is no doubt that they have it.

You don't have permission to flag this entry.

» on 02.05.10 @ 11:30 PM

He was doing the work YOU lazy amerikkans won’t do.

You don't have permission to flag this entry.

» on 02.06.10 @ 04:48 PM

The guy looks Filipino.Don’t be too quick to judge and point the Finger.Filipinos also have Spanish names.Even if he was Mexican,feel good and proud that he stab somebody, at-least the Cops have a freaggin’ Job to do,if life was so whitey and peaceful-ville you’ll have more People unemployed and committing hideous crimes,no matter what race.Just pointing the fact that in life things happen and people want to base their bias with story like this.You ought to be a stupid troll feeding off this.

You have already flagged this entry.

More Local News »

Goleta Seeks Public Input on Law Enforcement Services

Participants are needed for two focus groups scheduled for Feb. 15

Goleta Woman Accused of Having Sex with Teen Boy

Sheriff's Department says victim recently came forward about 2008 relationship

Goleta Police Warn Public About Recent Home Burglaries

Witnesses report seeing a suspect going door to door in the neighborhood around Scripps Crescent Street

Approval from Santa Barbara County Supervisors the Last Step for Venoco’s New Pipeline

The board will consider an ordinance allowing the company to begin transporting oil via a pipeline that has already been built, instead of by barge

Pacific Storm Expected to Bring Rain, Wind Back to Santa Barbara County on Tuesday

Weather officials say South Coast could receive up to 1½ inches of rain with wind gusting to 30 mph

Weather: Fair 41.0º


© Malamute Ventures LLC 2007-2012 | ISSN No. 1947-6086

Web Design & Development by PixelFive