SANTA MARIA, Calif. -- The search is on for several suspects after a stabbing early this morning.
The stabbing concerned residents that more crime is creeping into their part of town.
In the quiet neighborhood near the Santa Maria Fire Department last night was anything but.
"I heard a bunch of yelling," says resident Anthony Nunez. "I know there was a party going on earlier that night so when I pulled up, there were a couple of guys being talked to and a lot of people being handcuffed."
Officers responded to the 100 block of Portland in regards to a fight.
Residents say the fight broke out near the stop sign on the corner of Portland and Preisker at around 2 a.m. when 22 year-old Michael Jimenez was confronted by a group of unknown males and was stabbed.
The victim was taken to Marian Medical Center and is in stable condition.
"You wouldn't think something like that would happen around here," says Nunez. "It's actually pretty safe. A lot of kids running around so it's not something you'd expect."
But residents who spoke with Central Coast News say it's a symptom of more criminals back on the street through realignment bill AB 109.
And most residents say they don't want more crime coming to their part of town.
"I mean I have my nephew out here, he's going to be playing so I want to make sure he's safe too," says Nunez. "I don't want anything like that going on around here."
Police are still looking for the suspects. Anyone with information on the stabbing is urged to contact the Santa Maria Police Department.
