Jesse Alvarez was convicted of killing his ex-girlfriend’s fiance, Mario Fierro, in San Diego in February 2021. He was jealous that the pair had just gotten engaged. Alvarez testified on his own behalf. (KUSI/YouTube)
A California jury convicted a man of murdering his ex-girlfriend’s fiance in San Diego in a spate of jealous rage.
Jesse Alvarez, 33, shot Mario Fierro as he left for work on Feb. 1, 2021, at Cathedral Catholic High School, where he was a beloved teacher along with his fiance.
Alvarez told the jury he developed an “unhealthy obsession” with his ex-girlfriend after she dumped him after 3 1/2 years of dating. He became enraged when he learned through a social media post weeks before the shooting on the school’s website that his ex and Fierro were engaged.
Alvarez claimed self-defense, but that theory took a hit with the fact that he shot Fierro six times, including four bullets to the head. He testified that he went to Fierro’s home to talk. When he saw Fierro walk out of his apartment, he walked up to him.
“He rushed at me, and I was completely taken aback. He started trying to punch me,” Alvarez testified. “He tried to seize the firearm from my hand, and we were wrestling over it. And he started to point it towards my direction. And then he got his fingers around the trigger, and he pulled it,” Alvarez testified.
The scorned lover claimed he was able to wrestle the gun back and shoot Fierro once, causing him to fall to his knees. Alvarez said Fierro, 37, stood up and attacked him, and Alvarez opened fire again.
Also not helping Alvarez’s case was Google searches prosecutors say he made on his computer after he found out about the engagement. They included: “how to commit the perfect murder,” “how to shoot someone with a 9mm Glock,” and “how to hire a hitman.” Alvarez tried to explain away the searches as just fantasy.
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His defense attorney, Peter Blair, tried to cast doubt that the murder was planned.
“If this is premeditated, then he’s just shooting him right away. He’s not trying to talk to him, not trying to make conversation,” Blair said.
But Deputy District Attorney Ramona McCarthy said Alvarez knew exactly what he was doing and this wasn’t a case of self-defense.
“Mr. Fierro had no idea the defendant was there and no idea of his presence — had no idea the defendant waited almost an hour for him and watched him and waited right until he had his back to him. He’s a coward,” McCarthy said.
Sentencing is scheduled for May 10. Alvarez faces life in prison without parole.
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