Angry words led to young man’s stabbing death

Benjamin Vargas

ISLA VISTA — What started as any other Saturday night in Isla Vista ended fatally for 26-year-old Vincent Velazquez early around 12:30 a.m. May 15, when he was stabbed multiple times on the 6600 block Abrego Road.

According to Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Department spokesman Drew Sugars, what began as a verbal confrontation between the suspect and victim escalated into a physical altercation and eventual stabbing.

Velazquez was driven by his friend to Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital where he died.

Benjamin Vargas, 20, of Goleta was arrested for the stabbing. He pled not guilty to murder Thursday, May 19 in Santa Barbara Superior Court, where he returned for a preliminary hearing on Thursday, June 2.