Stearns Wharf Shooter Jiram Tenorio-Ramon Convicted of the Murder of Robert Gutierrez

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – A Santa Barbara County jury convicted Jiram Tenorio-Ramon of first-degree murder in connection with the December 2022 shooting at Stearns Wharf that resulted in the death of uninvolved bystander Robert Gutierrez.

The three-week trial concluded with the jury deliberating for one day before reaching their final verdict that Tenorio-Ramon was guilty on all charged counts, his second trial in the case after his initial trial ended in a hung jury noted the Santa Barbara Police Department.

The jury also found true that Tenorio-Ramon committed the murder on behalf of the Westside gang and was intended to further the goals of the criminal street organization added the Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office in a press release Wednesday.

On December 9, 2022, around 8:40 p.m., Tenorio-Ramon was a passenger in a vehicle that drove past a group of people walking on Stearns Wharf that the occupants in the vehicle believed to be members of a rival gang stated the Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office.

As the vehicle drove by the group, an occupant of the vehicle flashed a Westside gang hand sign toward the group and Tenorio-Ramon then directed the driver to stop near the dolphin fountain at the end of Stearns Wharf detailed the local prosecutor's office.

According to the Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office, Tenorio-Ramon exited the vehicle armed with a semi-automatic 9mm pistol and ran towards the group before opening fire.

Robert D. Gutierrez, an uninvolved bystander walking alongside his wife towards a restaurant to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary, was struck in the back by one round from a 9mm pistol, noted the prosecutor's office.

He was pronounced dead on December 20.

Two-and-a-half weeks after the shooting, Tenorio-Ramon posted a self-produced rap vido on Instagram recounting details about the murder and bragged about the killing improving his reputation shared the Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office.

Tenorio-Ramon was the last of eight people charged in connection with the shooting and one of three charged for discharging weapons at the scene and all eight have now been convicted on felony-level offenses noted the prosecutor's office.

He is currently scheduled for sentencing on October 29, 2026 where he faces life in prison without the possibility of parole stated the Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office.

"This case serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the devastating consequences of gang violence. Robert Gutierrez was enjoying an evening with his wife on Stearns Wharf as they celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary. In an instant, his life was taken, his wife lost her husband, his children lost their father, and the community lost a kind, hardworking man who was deeply loved. Our thoughts remain with Robert's family and everyone who continues to mourn his loss," Santa Barbara County District Attorney Savrnoch shared. "I am grateful to the jury for their careful consideration of the evidence and for delivering justice in this case. This conviction is the result of years of tireless work, exceptional teamwork, and an unwavering commitment to justice. I want to recognize Senior Deputy District Attorneys Tate McCallister and Carl Barnes for their outstanding prosecution of this case; District Attorney Investigators Eric Davis and Chad Hunt, whose dedication throughout this lengthy investigation and prosecution was invaluable; Victim Witness Program Manager Megan Riker-Rheinschild and her team for the extraordinary compassion and support they provided to the Gutierrez family; and the Santa Barbara Police Department for its outstanding investigative work. I also want to thank the many investigators, Victim Witness advocates, legal office professionals, and support staff whose efforts behind the scenes were essential to achieving today's outcome."

Senior Deputy District Attorney Tate McCallister called it the only wharf shooting in recent memory.

"I am extremely pleased with the jury's verdict, today the family of Robert Gutierrez finally got the justice that they deserved, I am very pleased with our office for successfully prosecuting all 8 individuals involved in this crime, including the 3 that discharged their firearms on the wharf that night all 3 of them were convicted of homicide crimes including the defendant today," said McCallister.

The victim was a longtime assisted living executive director and soccer and football fan.

Gutierrez' Linkedin profile said he graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder with a degree in finance in 1992 and completed his Master of Public Health at UCLA in 2020.

According to https://conejomountain.com Gutierrez is survived by his wife and two daughters.

Camarillo Mayor and former Ventura County Chief Deputy David Tennessen said justice was served by the investigation, the prosecution, the courts and the jury.

Your News Channel will have more on the conviction tonight on the new.