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Team 10: Accused cop killer's crimes span decades

Posted at 6:19 PM, Aug 01, 2016
and last updated 2016-08-01 21:19:00-04

The man accused of fatally shooting a San Diego police officer and injuring another officer has a criminal record stretching back to the 1980's, according to documents obtained by Team 10.

Court records show 52-year-old Jesse Michael Gomez was arrested in 1983 for armed robbery, taking a vehicle, DUI and evading a peace officer.

Though facing multiple charges, the documents show Gomez would eventually plead guilty to just two of them -- taking a vehicle and DUI.

Court records also show Gomez was arrested again in 1992 as a felon with a firearm.

He'd be off the map until 2002 -- this time arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance, possession of a firearm by a felon and other gun charges.

Gomez would plead guilty to only two of the charges.

In one of the court files, someone did write a character reference for Gomez, saying he was very professional while at work.

Police still haven't said what kind of "stop" led to the fatal shots being fired last Thursday night, they're also not saying much about the motive.

SDPD Officer Jonathan "J.D." DeGuzman, a 16-year veteran, died after the shooting in the Southcrest area. His partner, Officer Wade Irwin, was injured and is recovering at a local hospital.

Police said Gomez was wounded in the confrontation with the officers.