Sentencing Concluded in Berkeley Homicide Case

Two men have been sentenced to state prison for their involvement in a violent confrontation on Berkeley’s Telegraph Avenue that left one man dead and three others injured. The incident, which occurred on October 8, 2022, resulted in a 14-year sentence for 27-year-old Andy Gutierrez-Rebollo of Oakland and an eight-year sentence for 26-year-old Michael Monrroy-Ramos of Union City.

Gutierrez-Rebollo pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter in the death of 29-year-old Isamaeli “Eli” Mata’afa. Monrroy-Ramos pleaded no contest to assault with a deadly weapon.

Family Impact and Court Testimony

The sentencing hearing on February 5 featured an emotional statement from the victim’s sister, Tapu Mata’afa. She described the devastating toll the loss has taken on their family, noting that her father has “completely shut down” and her mother visits the cemetery weekly.

“Since the loss of our dearest brother Eli, our family hasn’t been the same,” Tapu Mata’afa stated. “He was the wisest. He was so smart and he had his whole life ahead of him.” The presiding judge acknowledged the family's pain, noting that the loss was profound.

Details of the October 2022 Shooting

Prosecutors reported that the victims, all cousins in their 20s, were walking home after playing pool when they encountered Gutierrez-Rebollo and Monrroy-Ramos on the 2300 block of Telegraph Avenue. A confrontation began after the defendants allegedly perceived a slight, which Monrroy-Ramos later claimed was racially motivated.

Following a brief physical altercation, both defendants opened fire as the victims attempted to leave. All four men were struck by gunfire. Isamaeli Mata’afa died from a gunshot wound to his back, though prosecutors stated it remains unclear which defendant fired the fatal shot. The three other victims sustained various injuries, with one requiring a month of hospitalization.

Related Legal Proceedings

Other individuals connected to the investigation have faced separate legal challenges. Jessyca Monrroy, the sister of Michael Monrroy-Ramos, is currently facing illegal gun possession charges following a raid on her Union City home and is scheduled to appear in court on April 2. Meanwhile, a case against a fourth defendant, Marianna Jesusetta Romero, was dismissed in 2024 after a judge ruled the prosecution's theory against her was based on speculation.