Salinas gang member found guilty of 2015 murder

SALINAS, Calif. (KION) A Salinas Norteno gang member was found guilty of a 2015 murder by a jury.

25-year-old Angel Isaac Ramirez was convicted of first degree murder, and the jury found that he personally used a gun and did it for the benefit of the Norteno gang.

In January 2015, Ramirez was buying beer at the Chin Brothers Market on North Main Street. Dexter Barnett was also in the market and challenged Ramirez to a fight, which investigators said resulted in a public display of disrespect.

Ramirez left the store and went back with other gang members who approached Barnett outside, but they let him leave because his 11-year-old son was with him.

Less than two hours later, Ramirez saw Barnett near the Happy to be Nappy barbershop in Chinatown. He hid at the corner of East Lake Street, and when Barnett walked by, Ramirez shot him multiple times with a semi-automatic Glock pistol. Barnett died on the corner of East Lake and North Main streets.

Ramirez confessed to the murder to other gang members while he was in custody.

Ramirez will be sentenced in February 2020. He is facing 50 years to life in prison.