Update by the Santa Barbara Police Department
Three suspects have been arrested in connection with the January 3, 2021 murder of victims Angel Castillo and Omar Montiel-Hernandez.
On April 8, 2021, around 8:30 a.m., members of the Santa Barbara Police Department (SBPD) and the Sheriff of Santa Barbara (SBSO) arrested three suspects for the murders of Angel Castillo and Omar Montiel-Hernandez.
Angel Eduardo Varela (DOB 1-3-95), Oscar Martin Trujillo-Gutierrez (DOB 11-20-95) and Emilio Perez (DOB 3-11-2003), all residents of Carpinteria, were arrested on warrants for 187 PC Murder, 190.2 (a) (3) Special circumstances to commit more than one murder, 190 (a) (22) PC Special circumstances: murder committed by an active participant in a gang to promote the activities of the gang , 12022.53 (e) (1) PC Special allegation: use of a gun in collaboration with a criminal street gang, 186.22 (b) (1) PC Special allegation: crime committed in collaboration with a criminal street gang, and 664/187 PC attempted murder with premeditated counsel and deliberation.
SBPD and SBSO-SWAT teams presented warrants regarding the investigation at two locations in the 1000 block of Cramer Road in Carpinteria and a dwelling under construction in the 2300 block of Golden Gate Ave in Summerland.
Varela, Trujillo-Gutierrez and Perez will be discussed in Santa Barbara County Jail where they will be held without bail. This investigation is ongoing and no further information is available at this time.
Bernard Melekian, chief of police in Santa Barbara, said: “The arrests today represent the culmination of weeks of planning and investigation. While we realize that nothing we have done here can bring back the lost lives, detectives have never stopped working on this case and have hopefully prevented future retaliation that in turn leads to more tragedy. As a society, we must continue to work with the young people in our community to ensure that no more lives are lost. ‘
Police in Santa Barbara continue to communicate with the families of the victims and express their condolences on their loss. The family and friends said how they remember their loved ones:
Angel Castillo loved his family, especially his brother. He dreams of owning his own car shop one day. His loss had a huge impact on everyone who knew him.
Angel Castillo (courtesy photo)
Omar Montiel-Hernandez was a big brother and always looked after his younger siblings. When Omar turned 18, he told his mother that it was his turn to start caring for her. Omar often said to his mother, “La vida es tan bonita (Life is beautiful).”
Omar Montiel-Hernandez (courtesy photo)
Sheriff orders shelter in place for Carpinteria community
By edhat staff
The sheriff’s office in Santa Barbara County issued a shelter order for a Carpinteria community on Thursday morning.
Around 8:45 a.m., Sheriff’s Public Information Officer Raquel Zick issued a statement asking residents in the immediate vicinity of Carpinteria Ave and Cramer Road to take refuge due to law enforcement.
Residents were advised to stay indoors unless the law enforcement staff had to leave them.
The shelter was lifted just before 10am and residents were able to resume normal activities.
It is currently unclear what kind of law enforcement activities took place, but Zick said information will be released soon.
This is an evolving story.
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