A Santa Barbara County Superior Court jury convicted a Washington man of first-degree murder for a fatal shooting in Santa Maria two years ago.

Ron Dolph Tutay, 29, from the state of Washington was arrested following the July 2, 2022, nighttime fatal shooting of Gerald Williams, 55, outside the Louie B’s bar on East Main Street. 

Williams, a Navy veteran, was shot once in the back and pronounced dead at the hospital despite lifesaving efforts. At the time of the shooting, police said the man was from Texas although others claimed he lived on the Central Coast.

The two men don’t appear to have interacted before the shooting. 

When police arrived at the scene, Tutay was sitting nearby. Officers found the same type of weapon used in the shooting in the defendant’s suitcase.

While in police custody after the shooting, the defendant reportedly used racist terms to refer to the Black victim.

In addition to finding Tutay guilty of murder on Oct. 10, jurors also deemed as true the two special allegations, or sentencing enhancements, for use of a firearm during the crime. 

Deputy District Attorney Austin Ingalls led the prosecution team. Lori Pedego and Megan Leisz represented the defendant.

The trial before Judge Stephen Dunkle began during the summer with jury selection. 

The defendant is scheduled to return to court Oct. 28 when the judge and attorneys will confirm whether sentencing will proceed as planned on Nov. 4. 

Tutay faces a maximum of 50 years to life in state prison. 

He remains in the custody of the Santa Barbara County Jail.