By Redacción
Redaccion@latinocc.com
A Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputy was injured during a violent encounter with an armed suspect early Friday morning while responding to a welfare check in Goleta.
Authorities said the incident occurred around 12:05 a.m. on March 20, 2026, when deputies were dispatched to La Posada in the 4500 block of Hollister Avenue. The call followed reports of a man who contacted dispatch in an agitated state and made alarming threats indicating he intended to harm someone. The caller hung up and then called again minutes later, repeating the threats.
Deputies arrived at approximately 12:13 a.m. and located the suspect, identified as 35-year-old Abu Bakr Sugich, near the northeast corner of the property. According to officials, Sugich appeared extremely agitated. Deputies kept their distance and attempted to de-escalate the situation.
During the encounter, the suspect briefly walked away before returning and advancing toward one of the deputies. Without warning, he allegedly produced a black hunting-style knife and stabbed Deputy Fabian Flores in the upper chest. The suspect continued the attack before deputies were able to subdue him, take him to the ground, and place him in handcuffs.
Deputies immediately rendered aid to their injured colleague. Flores sustained a stab wound to the upper chest, and officers applied direct pressure to control the bleeding while requesting emergency medical services.
The deputy was transported to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, where he was treated for a non-life-threatening injury and received sutures. He has since been released and is recovering at home.
Sugich was booked into the Main Jail on felony charges, including attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon. He is being held on $1 million bail.
Authorities said the incident underscores the unpredictable and dangerous nature of law enforcement work, as well as the importance of de-escalation and coordinated response.
