Montecito, Calif. – A suspect has been taken into custody after violently attacking a stranger inside a private residence and barricading himself from deputies. On Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at approximately 4:31 p.m., deputies responded to an unknown type problem at a private residence in the 1000-block of Fairway Road. The initial report was a possible vehicle theft or home invasion robbery in progress.

When deputies arrived on scene, they found a female assault victim who had sustained severe injuries outside the residence. The victim was immediately transported to an area hospital by ambulance. Deputies learned that a male suspect was still inside the residence, but it was unclear if all occupants had safely escaped. Additional deputies along with allied agencies including CHP and Santa Barbara Police established a perimeter around the residence and re-routed vehicle traffic away from Channel Drive. Santa Barbara County Air Support also responded to the area to assist with observations overhead. While deputies attempted to determine if there were possible hostages, the Sheriff’s Office Special Enforcement Team and Crisis Negotiation Team responded with Bearcat armored rescue vehicles.

Deputies entered the residence to check for additional victims and determined that all other occupants of the home had escaped. Deputies located the suspect barricaded in an upstairs restroom. Deputies, including a crisis intervention trained Co-Response Team deputy attempted to talk the suspect out of the bathroom. The suspect attempted to flee by climbing out of a second story bathroom window. He jumped to the ground where he was apprehended by deputies and a Sheriff’s K9. The suspect is identified as 43-year-old Russell Maxwell Phay from Nevada. He was booked at the Main Jail for obstruction (misdemeanor) and felonies including burglary, assault with a deadly weapon, battery with serious bodily injury, and kidnapping. He is being held on $100,000 bail.

This investigation remains ongoing. At this point, investigators do not have any indication that the victim or suspect knew one another. The status of the victim is not available at this time.