Four charged in July Fourth killing

BY COLBY FRAZIER
DAILY SOUND STAFF WRITER

Four people — three of whom are juveniles, including the victim’s brother — were charged yesterday with murder in connection with the Fourth of July gang-related stabbing death of a 15-year-old boy.
The victim was identified as Emmanuel Roldan. The victim’s brother, 17-year-old David Roldan, is one of the juveniles charged with the murder.

The other two juveniles charged are 15-year-old Victor Arroyo and Daniel Cervantes, also 15.
The lone adult charged so far, 21-year-old Miguel Marquez, also faces a charge of street terrorism, Deputy District Attorney Kimberly Smith said.
According to County Jail records, Marquez posted bail on Sunday and is not currently in custody. Three other adults arrested in connection with the gang brawl, which occurred near Stearns Wharf in step with the city’s Fourth of July fireworks show, remain behind bars uncharged, jail records show. Smith said she couldn’t comment on the status of these men, though she said the investigation is ongoing and more charges could be filed soon.
Three other juveniles were also arrested and have not yet been charged. Due to confidentially issues, the status of these boys could not be determined.
All of those charged with murder have also been charged with assault with a deadly weapon for the stabbing of another 15-year-old boy, which occurred just prior to the fatal stabbing.
Police first responded to the waterfront at 9:16 p.m. on a report of a stabbing near the dolphin fountain at the entrance to Stearns Wharf. There they found the first 15-year-old victim, who was transported to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital and was treated and released.
A few minutes later, police were flagged down and directed to another victim, near the 200 block of Cabrillo Boulevard, who was unresponsive. Police officials said the boy was pronounced dead after being taken to Cottage Hospital.
Later in the night, police were notified that a 14-year-old boy was taken to the hospital by his parents where he received treatment for a stab wound. The boy told authorities he was stabbed near Cabrillo Boulevard.
The Independence Day murder is the third of its kind in the past year and a half on the streets of Santa Barbara. On March 14, 2007, 15-year-old Luis Angel Linares was stabbed eight times in a massive gang brawl at the intersection of State and Carrillo streets. Four months later, 16-year-old Lorenzo Valentin Carachure was stabbed to death near his parent’s home on San Pascual Street.
In all three cases, juveniles have been charged with the murders, and all will be tried as adults.