23 Arrested, Three Officers Injured as Isla Vista Party Erupts Into Melee
A rowdy party erupted into a rock- and bottle-throwing melee involving 2,000 people that left three officers injured and 23 people under arrest early Sunday, Santa Barbara County authorities said.
It took more than three hours to quell the brawl near UC Santa Barbara, Sheriff’s Deputy L. Hess said.
The Isla Vista Foot Patrol was called to a home in the area about 12:30 a.m. by reports of a large, noisy party and asked the revelers to disperse, Hess said.
“They failed to do so, in a big way,” he said.
Party-goers, apparently joined by other people in the area, set fire to several trash bins and hurled a shower of debris that dented two sheriff’s cars and cracked their windshields, Hess said.
Reinforcements from the Sheriff’s Department, UC Santa Barbara campus police and the California Highway Patrol were called.
A deputy, a CHP officer and another law enforcement officer were treated at localhospitals for minor injuries, Hess said.
Twenty three people were arrested on various charges.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
