Salinas man pleads guilty to murder for stabbing death of security guard

A 23-year-old Salinas man has pleaded guilty to murder for stabbing a security guard to death.

Richard Gutierrez pleaded guilty to first-degree murder Wednesday and is expected to be sentenced to 26 years to life.

Gutierrez entered the 99 Cent Store on Laurel Drive in Salinas on Aug. 1, 2013 and confronted Victor Sosa, who was working as a security guard. Gutierrez attacked and stabbed Sosa repeatedly. Customers tried to help the victim by throwing canned goods at the attacker.

Gutierrez ran out of the store, and was immediately arrested.

Sentencing is set for Nov. 19, according to Monterey County prosecutors.