Suspect in Paso Robles shooting had previous run-ins with Monterey County law enforcement

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION) The suspect in Wednesday's shooting in Paso Robles, 26-year-old Mason James Lira, is described as a "transient from the Monterey area," and he apparently had past run-ins with Monterey County law enforcement.

According to the Marina Police Chief, Lira is known well to them.

There is a complaint filed against him in May 2020 in Monterey County alleging that he threatened to commit a crime that would case the death or great bodily injury to a woman. As a result, he was charged with making criminal threats. He was arrested and held in the Monterey County Jail for about a day and was released with a "Promise to Appear."

Then, in April 2020, a complaint filed against Lira says he was charged with trespassing by entering and occupying property without the owner's consent, resisting an officer and disturbing the peace. This case was reportedly dismissed.

Monterey County Sheriff's Office confirming to KION that Lira was released on June 3rd, 2020 for time served.

Law enforcement in San Luis Obispo County are still looking for Lira in connection to a shooting Wednesday in which he is accused of shooting a deputy in the face and killing another man in the area.

"It's a massive search these are unfortunate events taking place. Law enforcement is here to help people and to service the community. We've been doing it since as we say on the side of our car since 1850. We'll continue to do that as professionally as possible along with every other neighboring agency," says Thornburg.