Full Notification

On September 18, 2026, at approximately 9:33 PM, officers responded to the alley in the 300 block of N. Oakley Street regarding a reported shooting.

The investigation determined that two Hispanic male suspects approached a victim and attempted to rob him. One of the suspects was armed with an AR-15-style rifle. During the attempted robbery, the victim was shot in the leg. The victim was transported to a local hospital and is expected to survive.

Following the shooting, the suspects fled the area in a vehicle. Officers utilized license plate reader (LPR) technology to identify and locate the vehicle. One of the suspects, identified as 32-year-old Santa Maria resident Irwin Lara, was located at his residence. Officers established a perimeter around the residence and eventually took Lara into custody without further incident.

Lara was booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail on charges of accessory, robbery and assault with a deadly weapon. The second suspect remains outstanding.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this incident or the identity of the outstanding suspect is encouraged to contact the Santa Maria Police Detective Bureau.