Gustine man fatally stabs sister-in-law in front of child, police say

E-Mail

Comments (0)

Text Size:

tool goes here

GUSTINE � A man stabbed his sister-in-law to death this morning as her 6-year-old granddaughter watched, police said.

Police Chief Richard Calderon said officers were called to 359 Sycamore at 10:08 a.m. They found a woman, collapsed in her neighbor�s yard. According to Calderon, Linda Guzman, 49, ran across the street for help after her brother-in-law Alfonso Guzman, 52, stabbed her during an argument.

While paramedics worked on Linda Guzman, police searched the house and found Alfonso Guzman, who also goes by the name Terraza. He was arrested and will be booked into Merced County Jail on a murder charge.

Merced Sun-Star - Alfonso Guzman

Merced-Sun Star coverage of killing

Calderon said Alfonso Guzman would not talk to detectives, and they don�t know what led to the argument.

Linda Guzman was stabbed at least twice; police found several knives and are trying to determine which was the murder weapon, Calderon said.

The Merced County Sheriff�s Department sent its crime scene investigation unit to help process the scene of Gustine�s first homicide of the year.

The Guzmans are longtime residents of Sycamore, an established, tree-lined street in the middle of town. Neighbors told police there was no history of problems at the house.

Calderon said officers found Linda Guzman�s husband and the little girl�s parents at their workplaces and had them come to the police station, where they turned her over to them.

Despite her horrific experience, Calderon said the 6-year-old was OK.

�She�s a little trouper,� he said. �She was very good with us, very cooperative.�