A California gang member was sentenced to 50 years in prison for the shooting death of a man in Santa Maria.
Alfredo Junior Alaniz, 25, of Santa Maria, was sentenced for the murder of Mario Merino Gonzalez, 19, according to the Santa Barbara County District Attorney‘s Office.
In the early morning hours of May 16, 2021, Alaniz, who prosecutors said is a known gang member, shot and killed Gonzalez on North Lincoln Street.
He had shot the victim a total of 16 times, authorities said.
Alaniz was later arrested by Santa Maria police and charged with the crime. On Dec. 11, 2025, he was found guilty by a jury of first-degree murder.
The special allegations found true included that he committed the murder for the benefit of a criminal street gang, that he personally used a firearm and had discharged a firearm causing death.
On March 4, 2026, Alaniz was sentenced to two consecutive sentences of 25 years to life in state prison, a total of 50 years.
“This case involved the senseless and brutal killing of a young man, and the loss his family suffered was profound,” said Santa Barbara County District Attorney John Savrnoch. “I am grateful to the jury for their service, and to the prosecution team led by Deputy District Attorney Nicholas Harmon for their commitment to seeing justice done. I also want to thank the Santa Maria Police Department for their tireless work in investigating this case, especially Santa Maria Police Detectives Ryan Preast and Joshua Yee.”
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