News
Released: September 17, 2026 - Thursday, 11:24 AM
Deputies initially attempted to contact the suspect while he was inside his vehicle in a parking lot in Paso Robles. The suspect accelerated back striking a Sheriff’s Patrol Unit. He sped off and a pursuit began.
The pursuit continued northbound on Highway 101 before the suspect turned around near Mission Street in San Miguel and began traveling southbound. A spike strip was attempted several times. As the suspect approached Paso Robles, the Sheriff’s Office terminated the pursuit due to safety concerns. Deputies lost sight of the vehicle at that time.
The suspect later crashed his vehicle while traveling on Highway 101 and came to a stop along the side of the highway near the Niblick road overpass in Paso Robles. Deputies attempted to make contact with the suspect along with a member of the Sheriff’s Crisis Negotiation Team. The suspect remained inside his vehicle.
The suspect then exited the vehicle and pointed a handgun at Sheriff’s Deputies and officers with the Paso Robles Police Department. Shots were fired, and the suspect was pronounced deceased at the scene. Three Paso Robles Police Officers and two Deputies were directly involved in the shooting. No law enforcement officers were injured in the incident.
The Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit and Professional Standards Unit will conduct investigations into the incident. The California Highway Patrol will conduct a concurrent investigation.
There is no threat to the public at this time.
This remains an active investigation. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.
Officer Involved Shooting
Contact: Tony CipollaPhone: 805-781-4547Date and time of incident: 9-17-2026Place of Occurrence: Southbound Highway 101, Paso RoblesVictim Information: N/ASuspect Information: N/AOn 9-17-2026, San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Deputies became involved in a vehicle pursuit with a male suspect wanted in connection with a felony stalking case.Deputies initially attempted to contact the suspect while he was inside his vehicle in a parking lot in Paso Robles. The suspect accelerated back striking a Sheriff’s Patrol Unit. He sped off and a pursuit began.
The pursuit continued northbound on Highway 101 before the suspect turned around near Mission Street in San Miguel and began traveling southbound. A spike strip was attempted several times. As the suspect approached Paso Robles, the Sheriff’s Office terminated the pursuit due to safety concerns. Deputies lost sight of the vehicle at that time.
The suspect later crashed his vehicle while traveling on Highway 101 and came to a stop along the side of the highway near the Niblick road overpass in Paso Robles. Deputies attempted to make contact with the suspect along with a member of the Sheriff’s Crisis Negotiation Team. The suspect remained inside his vehicle.
The suspect then exited the vehicle and pointed a handgun at Sheriff’s Deputies and officers with the Paso Robles Police Department. Shots were fired, and the suspect was pronounced deceased at the scene. Three Paso Robles Police Officers and two Deputies were directly involved in the shooting. No law enforcement officers were injured in the incident.
The Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit and Professional Standards Unit will conduct investigations into the incident. The California Highway Patrol will conduct a concurrent investigation.
There is no threat to the public at this time.
This remains an active investigation. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.
