KING CITY — On March 14, at about 7 p.m., Monterey County Sheriff’s Office deputies were patrolling the King City area as part of their ongoing efforts to assist King City Police as a result of the mass shooting that killed four residents and injured seven others earlier this month.
Deputies conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle in the area of San Antonio Drive and Campbell Avenue for multiple traffic violations. The driver was identified as 25-year-old Edgar Mejia Jr. of King City.
“Deputies quickly learned that Mejia Jr. had an outstanding arrest warrant for domestic violence related charges out of Tulare County,” according to MCSO in a news release.
During the contact with Mejia Jr., he disclosed to deputies that he may have a firearm in his vehicle. Deputies conducted a search of the vehicle and discovered a loaded and concealed firearm.
Mejia Jr. was taken into custody without incident for his outstanding arrest warrant out of Tulare County for domestic battery. He was booked into the Monterey County Jail on charges including carrying a loaded firearm in a vehicle and traffic-related violations.
King City Police Department and the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office have stepped up patrol efforts in the King City area since the mass shooting incident. This is the third handgun that has been taken off the streets in an eight-day period.
“I wish to express my ongoing appreciation to the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office for providing extra patrols and their assistance with making our community safer by getting wanted individuals and weapons off our streets,” stated King City Police Chief James Hunt. “This is helping us to restore a sense of safety and peace in our city.”
A $20,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspects responsible for the mass shooting incident that took place March 3 in the 200 block of N. Second Street near downtown.
Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact King City Detective Sgt. Josh Partida at 831-386-5988; Monterey County Sheriff’s Detective A. Wilson at 831-597-1225; Monterey County Sheriff’s Detective Sgt. N. Kennedy at 831-755-3773; or 1-800-78-C-R-I-M-E (1-800-782-7463).
Information may also be submitted via the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office webpage by going to MontereySheriff.org and selecting the “Submit a crime tip” tab. All information can be provided anonymously.
