A man convicted of fatally stabbing another man in North Park was sentenced Tuesday to 26 years to life in state prison.
Alberto Barraza, 35, was found guilty by a San Diego Superior Court jury of first-degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon for the March 26, 2022, fatal attack on 23-year-old Nikko Guardado.
Prosecutors say that while Guardado was sleeping in a vehicle parked outside a Bancroft Street apartment, Barraza attempted to cut off Guardado’s ponytail. The victim awoke while this was happening, and during an ensuing struggle, Guardado was stabbed in the leg, severing an artery.
Guardado’s friend attempted to drive him to a hospital and was stopped by police for speeding. Guardado was then taken to the hospital, where he died. Barraza was arrested the following day.
Some of Guardado’s family members said Tuesday that they believe the attempted removal of the victim’s hair stemmed from the fact that Guardado was Native American.
Barraza was not charged with a hate crime. He told police he tried to cut off Guardado’s hair in an attempt to humiliate him, according to testimony.
Deputy District Attorney Karra Reedy said Barraza was prosecuted under the felony murder rule for killing Guardado in the commission of another crime. In this case, that crime was the robbery of Guardado’s hair.
