Man Charged with Felony Assault After Downtown Stabbing
Victim Slashed Across Back; Anthony Loza Named Suspect
A confrontation that appears to have started at EOS Lounge early Saturday morning before escalating into a fight outside the club left a 24-year-old man with a knife wound to his back and led to the arrest of 31-year-old Anthony Ray Loza of Goleta. Loza is accused of assault with a deadly weapon, a felony, and possession of Clonazepam without a prescription and possession of a controlled substance (Tramadol) without a prescription, both misdemeanors.
According to Santa Barbara police, officers responded at around 1:00 a.m. to a call of a large fight near City Lot 11, located in the 500 block of Anacapa Street. They were told by witnesses that two of the people involved had fled westbound on Haley Street and that one of them might have a knife. The two, Loza and a friend, were quickly located but Loza ran away when police caught up to him, authorities said. He tried to flee into the Santa Barbara Brewing Company through its back door, but found it locked.
Officers apprehended Loza and took him into custody. His clothes were bloody and he was in possession of a folding knife that had blood on it, authorities said. Loza’s friend, who didn’t run from officers, had facial injuries consistent with having been in a fight, but he denied he was involved in such an altercation. Other people involved in the fight have not been cooperative with officials, a police spokesperson said, and the investigation continues.
The stabbing victim was transported to Cottage Hospital and treated for non-life threatening injuries. Loza’s bail is set at $30,000.
