Salinas gang member sentenced for shooting and killing a man at a party

A Salinas gang member learned his punishment for killing a man in 2015.

According to the Monterey County District Attorney, 26-year-old Tai Cruz was sentenced to 35 years in prison after pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter with gang and personal use of a firearm enhancements.

The D.A. said Cruz shot and killed Paulino Guzman, III in December of 2015. The 18-year-old was reported missing in January of 2016.

The Salinas Police Department then learned about Guzman’s death and collected enough evidence to connect Cruz to the crime.

Investigators said at some point during a part on North Main Street, people were cleaning their firearms and the victim, Guzman, was holding a gun as if he was inspecting it. He was not pointing it at anyone and he did not have his finger on the trigger. Investigators said Cruz then grabbed the gun out of Guzman’s hands, put his finger on the trigger and shot Guzman once.

A witness said Guzman was shot in the cheek and almost immediately stopped breathing.

Guzman’s best friend called 911 and reported the gunshots.

The following day, Cruz and some others went back to the apartment where it happened, put Guzman’s body in a large plastic tub and cleaned up the scene.

Cruz then drove away with two others with Guzman’s body in a small green car which was never found.

Police later found blood under the floorboards of the apartment and samples matched Guzman’s blood.

During the sentencing hearing, Guzman’s stepmother pleaded with Cruz to tell them where the body is so he can be laid to rest.

The judge also encouraged Cruz to do the right thing for the grieving family and Cruz responded “no comment.”