Santa Barbara County Deputy Stabbed During Goleta Call

Overview

• Deputies were dispatched around 12:05 a.m. to the La Posada interim housing community in the 4500 block of Hollister Avenue after a man phoned in threats to harm someone.
• The man, identified by authorities as 44-year-old Abu Bakr Sugich, was contacted at the property and appeared agitated.
• Deputies kept distance and attempted de-escalation before Sugich returned, produced a black hunting-style knife, and stabbed Deputy Fabian Flores in the upper chest.
• Other deputies subdued and handcuffed Sugich and provided immediate medical aid to the wounded deputy at the scene.
• Flores was treated at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries, received sutures, was released, and is recovering at home.