Suspect in deadly shooting outside of Jaime’s Lounge in Salinas convicted of second-degree murder
Victor Guzman
SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV) — The Monterey County D.A. announced the suspect in a deadly shooting at Jaime’s Lounge in April 2024 has been convicted of second-degree murder.
The D.A. said Mario Thomas Garcia of Salinas was found guilty in court by a jury. He was accused of shooting and killing Gabriel Gutierrez that night outside of the bar.
According to the D.A. although witnesses did not cooperate with police initially, surveillance video was recovered from the bar plus some nearby businesses that captured the defendant’s actions leading up to the shooting.
The D.A. said Garcia left the country but was found and arrested in Mexico before being extradited to the U.S. for prosecution.
Investigators said a motive for the killing stemmed from a separate incident that happened 30 minutes prior at a different bar.
The D.A. said the victim, Gabriel Gutierrez, was not involved in that prior altercation.
Garcia faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and is scheduled to be sentenced on August 20.
Deputies identify victim killed in the Salinas Street shooting
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has identified the 46-year-old man who died in a Salinas shooting on Friday night.
The man has been identified as Gabriel Gutierrez per the Sheriff’s Office.
Salinas Police said they responded to the 200 block of Salinas Street around 11:37 p.m. for reports of a shooting.
Officers found Gutierrez suffering from a gunshot wound and he was transported to a local hospital.
Police said the man died at the local hospital. Salinas Police said the man was reportedly seen running from the area immediately after shots were fired.
If you have any information, you can contact the Salinas Police Department’s anonymous tip line at 831-775-4222.
Man killed in Salinas shooting, police looking for suspect
A 46-year-old man is dead after a shooting on the 200 block of Salinas Street late Friday night.
According to police they received reports of a shooting at 11:37 p.m. and found a man suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim was transported to a local hospital but didn’t survive.
Another man was reportedly seen running from the area immediately after the shots were fired.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Byron Gansen at 831-801-3549. If you wish to remain anonymous you may also call the Salinas Police Department anonymous tip line at 831-775-4222.