Press Releases

Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced today that Deshawn Lee, a member of the Crip criminal street gang, was sentenced to 10 years in state prison for attempting to murder a rival gang member.  Lee has a prior conviction for a strike offense involving gun possession for the benefit of his gang.  

On May 14, 2019, witnesses in a residential area in the City of Seaside reported hearing multiple gun shots, which prompted several 911 calls. Seaside police found multiple shell casings in the 1600 block of Flores Street. During the investigation, the officers obtained video surveillance from nearby homes and businesses showing a black Nissan following a white Audi model vehicle. One video showed the passenger of the Nissan extending his body out of the passenger side window shooting at the white car.  

Following the shooting, video surveillance captured the Nissan speeding away on Flores Street. The driver’s side window was down, showing the driver’s face from a distance. Several officers identified the driver of the black Nissan as Deshawn Lee, who is well-known to law enforcement in Seaside as an active Crip gang member. Further investigation revealed that the black Nissan was registered to Lee’s girlfriend who resides in Nevada.  

Seaside police officers contacted the driver of the white Audi, who was believed to be the victim of the shooting. The victim’s car sustained significant damage from the impact of the bullets. The victim confirmed that the occupants of the black Nissan were following him. The victim expected the occupants of the Nissan to confront him about his gang affiliation. However, as the Nissan pulled up alongside the victim’s car, the passenger immediately began shooting at the victim. The victim reversed his vehicle, drove away, and hid the car at his mother’s house. The victim admitted his affiliation with the Norteno criminal street gang.