Reported Assault Determined to be Medical Emergency

On March 2, 2023, at 4:58 p.m., Santa Barbara Police Officers responded to the 900 Block of Chapala Street for a reported assault in progress.

Officers arrived on scene, and during the initial investigation determined no assault occurred. It appeared to 9-1-1 callers that an individual was actively assaulting a male laying on the ground, however it was determined the individual was attempting to perform CPR on the unresponsive adult male.

Santa Barbara City Fire and AMR Paramedics arrived on scene and continued CPR for approximately 30 minutes. The male was pronounced dead at the scene and the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Coroner responded. The cause of death is currently unknown, and the investigation is ongoing. The name of the decedent is being withheld pending notification to next of kin.