SANTA BARBARA, Calif- A 19-year-old has been arrested after he was accused of starting a fight at a party on Olive Street and stabbing someone in the chest.
The victim was found on the west sidewalk with a stab wound to the right side of his chest. He was treated at the scene by firefighters and paramedics and then transported to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital where he underwent surgery and is presently recovering, said police.
Several witnesses were able to identify Malik Dion Harris-Ellis as the suspect and say Ellis and the victim are acquaintances.
Police say that Ellis and the victim were at the same party on E. Cota Street. The victim was drunk and challenged challenged Ellis to fight, said police, "A fistfight ensued, characterized by moments where Ellis would dodge punches thrown by [the victim] and even run away, only to be followed by [the victim] who was intent on fighting."
Police say this went on for several minutes before Ellis went into the house on Olive Street and got a kitchen knife and stabbed the victim as he was throwing a punch.
Ellis was arrested and booked at Santa Barbara County Jail for assault with a deadly weapon, a felony, and destruction or concealment of evidence, a misdemeanor. His bail amount is $30,000.00.
