Stab victim takes taxi to hospital

BY ERIC LINDBERG
DAILY SOUND STAFF WRITER

A 16-year-old boy took a taxicab to the hospital after being stabbed in Santa Barbara on Sunday night during what police are considering a gang-related incident.
Authorities arrived at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital at 10:32 p.m. after receiving a call from a taxi driver who was en route to the emergency room with a stabbing victim, Sgt. Lorenzo Duarte of the Santa Barbara Police Department said.

Two relatives of the victim who also took the taxi to the hospital reported last seeing the victim at 10 p.m., Sgt. Duarte said. When officers spoke to the 16-year-old, he said he had gone for a walk near his home when he noticed a man walking toward him.
“As soon as the suspect passed the victim, he felt himself being stabbed in the back,” Sgt. Duarte said in a news release. “The victim next heard the suspect yell out a gang name.”
The teenager said he ran towards his home and was briefly chased by the suspect, police said. As the victim neared his house, he came across two of his relatives, who then called for a taxi, Sgt. Duarte said.
“The investigation is continuing and it is considered gang related,” he said.