By F. Scott Faulkner
SANTA BARBARA, CA — April 15, 2025 – At approximately 2:00 a.m. on the morning of April 6, Santa Barbara Police Department
officers responded to downtown’s State Street following a report of a stabbing.
Upon arrival, officers located an adult male in the street with multiple stab wounds. The victim was transported
to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in critical condition.
Investigators determined the victim had been involved in a physical altercation with several
individuals shortly before the stabbing.
An investigation that ultimately identified Eduardo Zermeno, 36, of Goleta, as the primary suspect.
On April 13, 2025, law enforcement officials located and arrested Zermeno and Alexis Garcia, 37, of Goleta, in
Carpinteria.
Both men were immediately taken into custody and transported to Santa Barbara County Jail.
Garcia was booked and charged with being an accessory after the fact.
Zermeno was charged with attempted murder with special allegations related to the use of a weapon, infliction
of great bodily injury, commission of the crime while out on bail, and two prior felony convictions.
Zermeno’s bail was set at $2 million; Garcia’s at $50,000.
“This case demonstrates the importance of interagency collaboration and timely information
sharing,” said Detective Jonathan Schnereger, spokesman for the Ventura County Sheriff’s
Department. “Coordinated efforts ensured the swift apprehension of both suspects.”
