San Diego, California – The chilling surveillance footage capturing the final moments of Mario Fierro’s life has been revealed in court. Fierro, a teacher at Cathedral Catholic High School, tragically lost his life in a shooting incident in 2021 at the hands of his girlfriend’s ex-fiance, Jesse Alvarez.
During the murder trial, prosecutor Ramona McCarthy detailed Alvarez’s elaborate planning leading up to the fatal shooting. McCarthy highlighted Alvarez’s Google searches, which included queries such as “how to hire a hit man,” “how to kill your ex’s fiance,” and “does a phone on airplane mode track GPS location.” Alvarez even enrolled in gun classes and acquired two firearms as part of his disturbing preparations.
Amy Gembara, Alvarez’s ex-girlfriend and fellow teacher at Cathedral Catholic High School, recounted the harrowing experiences of being stalked and pursued by Alvarez after their breakup. Despite Gembara’s efforts to obtain a restraining order, Alvarez persistently found ways to contact her, ultimately leading to the tragic confrontation with Fierro.
Alvarez’s defense attorney, Kelly Armstrong, presented a different perspective, painting Alvarez as a person with autism who may not fully grasp social cues and relationships. Armstrong argued that Alvarez’s acquisition of firearms was not intended for harm but rather stemmed from concerns about personal safety amidst widespread social unrest in the United States at the time.
According to Armstrong, the fatal encounter between Alvarez and Fierro unfolded with Fierro allegedly initiating a physical altercation. Armstrong claimed that Alvarez pleaded with Fierro to stop but ultimately resorted to using his firearm in self-defense, resulting in the fatal shots that ended Fierro’s life.
The trial, expected to span over two weeks, will determine Alvarez’s fate. Despite pleading not guilty, Alvarez faces the possibility of a life sentence without parole if convicted. As the court proceedings continue, the community grapples with the tragic loss of a beloved teacher and the complexities of a relationship turned deadly.