Authorities at the University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB) have issued a second campus safety alert within two months, following a report of a woman being stalked and groped in broad daylight. This recent incident comes as law enforcement continues its search for a suspect involved in the severe rape and strangulation of an 18-year-old first-year student reported in May.
Latest Incident Prompts Campus Warning
According to a campus-wide "Timely Warning" released by UCSB police, the latest reported assault occurred around 11:30 a.m. on June 24. The victim was walking along a paved access road on UCSB's West Campus when a man on a bicycle passed her. Over the subsequent 15 minutes, the individual circled back multiple times.
During their initial two encounters, the man reportedly stopped and engaged the victim in conversation, asking questions. On his third pass, investigators stated that he approached the woman from behind, groped her, and then fled the scene in the direction of the nearby Tierra De Fortuna Park.
The suspect is described as a man of Hispanic or Middle Eastern descent, approximately 35 years old, standing about 5 feet 8 inches tall with a thin build. He has a shaved head, brown eyes, and scruffy facial hair. At the time of the incident, he was wearing a gray tank top or a cut-off T-shirt, shorts, and a black backpack, and was riding a bicycle. Police confirmed the victim did not know the assailant.
The UC Santa Barbara Police Department is urging anyone with information regarding the June 24 incident to come forward and contact them.
Unsolved May Assault Investigation Continues
This warning marks the second issued by UCSB police since May, when an 18-year-old freshman reported being raped and strangled. The assault reportedly occurred after she met a man at a Sigma Pi fraternity party and then returned to her residence at Tropicana Gardens in Isla Vista. The investigation into this severe attack remains active and unsolved.
Days after the May assault, the survivor's family, represented by attorney Tyrone Maho, made a public plea for witnesses. They emphasized that individuals who attended the Sigma Pi fraternity party or were in the vicinity of Tropicana Gardens on the night of May 9 might possess crucial information pertinent to the case.
The family also formally requested that the university chancellor ask the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office to assume control of the investigation. They conveyed their belief that the assailant posed "a potential threat to our community" while also expressing appreciation for the efforts already undertaken by the UC Santa Barbara police.
The May incident also led to a candlelight vigil, organized by students who gathered to offer support to the survivor and to articulate their escalating concerns about safety across the campus community.
Campus Culture and Crime Statistics
For the past two consecutive years, UC Santa Barbara has been identified as the nation's leading party school by Niche. Concurrently, campus crime data indicates a significant number of reported incidents. According to its Annual Security and Fire Safety Reports, the university recorded over 100 reported rapes between 2022 and 2024. These reports also highlight an increase in other reported crimes in recent years, including weapons arrests and burglaries.
The UCSB police department has stated its commitment to maintaining direct communication with the family of the May assault survivor and collaborates closely with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office and the District Attorney's Office whenever appropriate.
