A Santa Barbara County jury found Jiram Tenorio Ramon guilty on Wednesday for killing a man on Stearns Wharf in 2022 for the benefit of a local criminal street gang.
The jury found that Tenorio Ramon was guilty of first degree murder for the common benefit of Santa Barbara’s Westside gang.
The verdict on Wednesday came after a hung jury on the same charges in 2025.
On Dec. 9, 2022, Tenorio Ramon was with friends when he opened fire on Stearns Wharf in a shootout between him and a rival Ventura gang. The bullet fired by Tenorio Ramon killed innocent bystander Robert Gutierrez, a father from Camarillo who was survived by his wife and kids.
Outside of Dept. 2 in the Santa Barbara County Courthouse, on Wednesday, Gutierrez’s daughter Ariana was at a loss of words following the jury’s decision.
“It’s not really a happy day,” Ariana Gutierrez, who is a senior at San Diego State University, told the News-Press. “It’s hard to be happy after the loss of my dad.”
However, Ariana felt she and her family were “ready to move forward” after the jury’s decision to find Tenorio Ramon guilty of her father’s murder.
The jury’s verdict comes after closing arguments on the case presented by Attorney Tate McCallister for the prosecution and Attorney George Steele for the defense.
McCallister said it was difficult not getting this verdict last year, but he is pleased with the district attorney’s office for getting it done this time. McCallister added that the victim’s family is “incredibly strong,” and he thanked city police for their support in arresting eight people, including Tenorio Ramon, involved in the case.
Tenorio Ramon is being sentenced to life in prison without parole at a later hearing in October.
“I am grateful to the jury for their careful consideration of the evidence and for delivering justice in this case,” District Attorney John Savrnoch said in a statement. “This conviction is the result of years of tireless work, exceptional teamwork, and an unwavering commitment to justice.”
