Dinner Gets Deadly

A Saturday night family dinner in an upscale Santa Barbara home came to an abrupt halt well before it was time for dessert and coffee when Sam Wellington Maphis V, 20, a resident of the house, allegedly approached a 60-year-old female guest and, according to Santa Barbara Police Department Public Information Officer Sgt. Riley Harwood, “without provocation cut her throat with a knife.”

Samuel Wellington Maphis V

The victim was attending the dinner party and was seated at the table along with several others when she was reportedly approached from behind by Maphis.  Others at the table, reacting to the bloody violence, attempted to confront Maphis—presumably to prevent him from injuring any others at the dinner—and, as detailed in Harwood’s report to the media—“Maphis pointed the knife at his uncle and uttered a threat to him.”  Immediately thereafter, Maphis exited the residence and fled on foot.

A 911 Emergency call went out to SBPD, and officers arriving on the scene at approximately 8:30 p.m. summoned paramedics who promptly transported the victim via ambulance to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital for treatment of a “twelve centimeter long incision to her neck.”

Officers at the scene were given Maphis’ cellphone  number by family members, and he answered their call.  The wireless service provider reported that the phone was located in a nearby Santa Barbara City Park, and SBPD immediately established a perimeter in conjunction with deputies from the Santa Barbara County Sheriffs Department.  Two hours after the assault, Maphis revealed himself and surrendered to officers.  He was arrested and transported to Santa Barbara County Jail where he was booked for attempted murder and terrorist threats, with his bail set at $2,500,000.

Photo: Courtesy Santa Barbara County Jail Booking

Read More:

EdHat: Attempted Murder Arrest

KCOY: Suspect Allegedly Stabbed Woman at Dinner Table