Gustine man suspected of stabbing in-law

Merced Sun-Star

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GUSTINE — Police said a man stabbed his sister-in-law to death Wednesday morning as her 6-year-old granddaughter watched.

Gustine Police Chief Richard Calderon said officers were called to 359 Sycamore Ave. at 10:08 a.m. They found a woman collapsed in her neighbors' 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.

As paramedics worked on Linda Guzman, police searched the house and found the suspect, who also goes by the name Terraza. He was arrested and booked at Merced County Jail on suspicion of murder.

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The 6-year-old, who ran to the neighbors' house with the victim, was not hurt.

Calderon said the suspect would not talk to detectives, and that they didn't know what led to the argument. Linda Guzman was stabbed at least twice in the upper torso; police found several knives and are trying to determine if any of them was used in the stabbing, Calderon said.

Neighbors said Linda Guzman lived in Gustine for more than 30 years. She was a clerk at Richard's Market and coached Little League.

"She was just a wonderful grandmother and a mother," said neighbor Marie Rosemire, 56. "She was friendly, as warm as can be. I'm very angry this could happen to such a fabulous person."

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

"She was a very, very nice lady. She wouldn't do anything to hurt anybody," said neighbor Tiffany Vitorino, 37. "It's very shocking to all of us, especially in a small town like Gustine."

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 last one happened in December 2008.

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 the girl 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."

Merced Sun-Star staff writer Victor Patton contributed to this report.