Santa Maria Assault Incident Leads to Murder Investigation and Arrest – edhat

Case number: SMPD24-0010508
On Sunday, July 28, 2024 at approximately 7:38 p.m., officers with the Santa Maria Police Department (SMPD) were dispatched to a storage complex in the 1900 block of N. Preisker Lane in reference to a reported assault.

Upon arrival, SMPD officers located an adult male victim unconscious and suffering from severe head trauma. Officers immediately rendered aid and support until Santa Maria Fire & AMR Ambulance personnel arrived and took over. The victim was then transported to the Marian Regional Medical Center Emergency Department for treatment.

The SMPD Patrol Bureau quickly determined that the victim had been assaulted, resulting in serious life-threatening injuries. Officers learned that the assailant, identified as 30-year-old Santa Maria resident Carlos Israel Loyola, had stolen the victim’s vehicle and fled the scene after the attack. SMPD officers located Loyola driving the victim’s vehicle in an unconnected area of ​​San Luis Obispo County, near the US 101 & SR 166 interchange. Loyola attempted to elude officers but collided with a marked SMPD patrol car, disabling his vehicle. SMPD officers safely took Loyola into custody at approximately 8:02 p.m., less than a half hour after the initial call for service. No one was injured in the collision.

Tragically, despite the best efforts of first responders and medical staff, the victim succumbed to his injuries and was later pronounced deceased at the hospital. The victim’s identity is currently being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

Loyola was booked into the Santa Barbara County North Branch Jail on the charge of 187 PC – murder. He is being held on $2 million bail.

The Santa Maria Police Department Detective Bureau and Crime Lab responded to the scene. The Detective Bureau has taken over this investigation, which is still active and ongoing.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Whitney at (805) 928-3781 ext. 1329 or the Communications Center at (805) 928-3781 ext. 2277.

Anonymous tips can be submitted via the SMPD tip line at (805) 928-3781 extension 2677 (COPS).