Two people have been confirmed dead in what police are describing as a possibly gang-related shooting Sunday night in Santa Barbara’s Eastside neighborhood.
Those killed were Omar Montiel-Hernandez, 18, and Angel Castillo, 17, both of Santa Barbara, according to Anthony Wagner, a Santa Barbara Police Department spokesman.
Two other people were taken to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital for medical treatment after the shootings, Wagner said, but their names and ages were not released.
Investigators were working “several leads” on Monday, but as of early afternoon, no arrests had been made, Wagner said.
The incident occurred at about 5:40 p.m. on the 1220 block of Liberty Street, a block-long residential road off South Canada Street between Hutash (formerly Indio Muerto) and Punta Gorda streets.
At least one assailant approached a group of people gathered on the street and opened fire, Wagner said.
Police have not said whether they believe the shootings are connected to a New Year’s Eve stabbing in the Westside neighborhood, in which a juvenile was seriously injured.
“We are investigating two incidents with ties to criminal street gangs, but we’re not prepared to link them together at this juncture,” Wagner told Noozhawk.
The Santa Barbara Response Network is offering counseling for anyone affected by the shootings, from 3 to 5 p.m. daily at Franklin School (805.963.4283). People seeking information and support can contact the Santa Barbara Response Network at 805.699.5608.
Check back with Noozhawk for updates to this story.
— Noozhawk executive editor Tom Bolton can be reached at tbolton@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.