A man who pleaded guilty to killing another man during an altercation at a Hillcrest gas station was sentenced Monday to six years in state prison.
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Solomon Guerrero, 57, was arrested for the March 1, 2025, death of 61-year-old Jerry Puerile, who was strangled and hit his head on the ground at a Shell station on Washington Street. Responding police officers found Puerile unconscious in front of the business. He was taken to a hospital, where he died.
Guerrero’s defense attorney argued in court filings that Puerile instigated the confrontation, prompting Guerrero to fight back.
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Guerrero was initially charged with murder, but following a preliminary hearing, a judge declined to hold Guerrero to answer on the charge. Prosecutors later refiled the murder charge, but another judge dismissed it.
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A grand jury then indicted Guerrero on the murder count.
He pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter earlier this year.
