Richard Gutierrez was sentenced to 26 years to life today for stabbing a security guard to death last August in Salinas.

On August 2, 2013, 22-year-old Gutierrez walked into the 99 Cent Store at 102 E. Lauren Dr. and attacked the store’s security guard Victor Sosa, 57, with a knife. Shoppers threw canned goods at Gutierrez in an attempt to get him away from the guard.

Sosa died a short time later at Natividad Medical Center where Gutierrez also was taken for his injuries. Gutierrez was then taken to the Monterey County Jail and booked on charges of attempted robbery and homicide.

According to witnesses at the scene, Gutierrez had entered and left the store multiple times before the attack. The final time he entered, he stood near a cash register, then grabbed the guard and attacked him.

Monterey County Deputy District Attorney Rolando Mazariegos says Gutierrez pleaded to first-degree murder with use of a knife. At the time of the arrest, Mazariegos says Gutierrez was also charged with attempted robbery, but that charge was dropped.

“It seemed like a robbery, but the scene was disorganized and senseless, so it was hard to know if he was there for a robbery,” says Mazariegos. “He was arrested minutes after leaving the store and he was covered in blood.”

Mazariegos says Monterey County Superior Judge Pamela Butler sentenced Gutierrez and he did not say anything when the punishment given. Sosa’s widow spoke.

“She was in tears and visibly distraught. It seemed very difficult for her to express all the pain she was feeling as a result of losing her husband,” says Mazariegos. “I think she touched everyone in the courtroom.”

According to Mazariegos, Gutierrez had his head down and did not react to her statements.