CALIFORNIA BRIEFING / OJAI

Authorities have arrested a 14-year-old on suspicion of stabbing a 16-year-old to death at a party in Ojai, Ventura County Sheriff’s Department officials said Monday.

The county coroner’s office identified the slain teen as Seth Scarminach of Ojai, who died about 2:30 a.m. Sunday of stab wounds to the neck and chest.

Sheriff’s deputies were called to a house party in the 2400 block of Maricopa Highway about 2 a.m. They found about 30 people, most of them teenagers, who were beginning to disperse. Scarminach was in the driveway to the guest house, bleeding from stab wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Sheriff’s Capt. Ross Bonfiglio said the 14-year-old, a suspected gang member, was arrested about 7 p.m. Sunday at his home in Ojai. Investigators believe he got into an argument with the victim before the stabbing, Bonfiglio said.

Authorities are not releasing the suspect’s name because he is a juvenile.

Deputies also arrested Gabriel Arellano, 21, on suspicion of participating in a criminal gang. Bonfiglio did not give details on Arellano’s connection to the incident.

Bonfiglio said investigators found alcohol and marijuana at the party.

-- Victoria Kim