FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — The man accused of shooting a Fresno Police officer has a history of committing violent crimes, including a felony assault conviction in 2017, court records show.<\/p>\n
Police say it wasn’t the first time they’ve encountered the suspect, who they identified as 56-year-old Paul Rodriguez Cisneros.<\/p>\n
They say he’s faced additional charges over the years, including domestic violence.<\/p>\n
“Domestic violence is one of the most violent crimes to respond to,” said Fresno Police Sergeant Adrian Alvarez.<\/p>\n
Alvarez said the department works with the Marjaree Mason Center to provide advocacy for domestic violence victims and training for officers.<\/p>\n
The Center provides resources to victims in Fresno, including emergency and longer-term safe housing.<\/p>\n
CEO of the Marjaree Mason Center, Leticia Campos, says domestic violence is a repetitive cycle by offenders that often turns deadly.<\/p>\n
“What they often turn to is acts of homicide, threats of homicide, threats to harm you or your children, and threats to hurt themselves at the same time,” Campos said.<\/p>\n
According to an official account, several of those tactics contributed to the escalation of the situation over the weekend.<\/p>\n
Police say Cisneros’ wife told officers he had threatened to shoot her, shortly before he fired at one of those responding officers.<\/p>\n