News
Released: September 18, 2026 - Friday, 11:59 AM
On 9-17-2026, shortly after 8:00 AM, Deputies from the Sheriff’s Office North Station located a suspect vehicle in the Hampton Inn parking lot, in the 200 block of Alexa Court in Paso Robles. The vehicle was located with the assistance of an Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR) system. The suspect associated with the vehicle was known to Deputies and had an active no-bail felony warrant for carrying a loaded firearm, possession of narcotics while armed with a firearm, and stalking. The suspect also had an active $15,000 misdemeanor warrant for violation of a domestic violence restraining order. The suspect also made previous statements, to family members, of wanting to commit suicide by cop.
As Deputies attempted to contact the suspect and take him into custody, the suspect's vehicle struck a Sheriff's Office patrol vehicle and fled the location. Deputies initiated a vehicle pursuit of the suspect onto northbound Highway 101. The suspect vehicle later exited Highway 101 in San Miguel and began driving back southbound on Highway 101. During the pursuit on southbound Highway 101, Deputies terminated the pursuit due to public safety concerns. Shortly thereafter, the suspect was involved in a traffic collision on southbound Highway 101, south of Niblick Road.
After the collision, the suspect remained in his vehicle and refused to comply with numerous commands from law enforcement. During this time, a member of the Sheriff's Office Crisis Negotiation Team made multiple attempts to get in contact with the suspect, via cellular phone, in an attempt to gain compliance and come to a peaceful resolution. A member of the Sheriff's Office UAS team also utilized a drone, which was placed on the hood of the suspect's vehicle, to maintain a visual of the interior compartment of the vehicle. After approximately 20 minutes of numerous commands given to the suspect, he then exited his vehicle and immediately pointed a handgun at members of the Sheriff's Office and the Paso Robles Police Department, which prompted an officer involved shooting.
Personnel from the Sheriff's Office and the Paso Robles Police Department then developed a tactical approach to the suspect to render the incident safe and to provide medical attention to the suspect. However, the suspect was pronounced deceased at the scene. No law enforcement personnel were injured during the incident.
During the investigation the handgun was later identified as a Crosman SNR357 .177 caliber pellet/BB gun.
A still image from the Sheriff's Office drone shows Kelly gripping the weapon, with his finger on the trigger, immediately before exiting the vehicle. Still images from the in-car camera systems, captured immediately prior to the shooting, shows Kelley pointing the weapon at law enforcement.
The suspect has been identified as 44-year-old Randall Kelley with no known address but was previously living in San Miguel. In December of 2025 and separately in January of 2026, Kelley was arrested by North Station Deputies for violating a domestic violence restraining order. In February of 2026, Kelley was arrested by the Sheriff's Office for stalking, possession of a loaded firearm, and possession of a controlled substance while armed with a firearm. In September 2026, the above-described felony and misdemeanor warrants were issued for Kelly.
In accordance with department policy, the involved law enforcement personnel have been placed on paid administrative leave and are receiving support services.
The investigation remains ongoing, and there is no threat to the public.
If anyone has additional information on this incident, please contact the Sheriff’s Office Detective Division at 805-781-4500.
No further information is available at this time.
Officer Involved Shooting Update
Contact: Tony CipollaPhone: 805-781-4547Date and time of incident: 9-17-2026, Approximately 8:00 AMPlace of Occurrence: Southbound Highway 101, Paso RoblesVictim Information: N/ASuspect Information: Randall Kelley, 44, No Known AddressThe Sheriff’s Office is releasing additional information regarding an officer-involved shooting that occurred on 9-17-2026, on southbound Highway 101, south of Niblick Road in Paso Robles.On 9-17-2026, shortly after 8:00 AM, Deputies from the Sheriff’s Office North Station located a suspect vehicle in the Hampton Inn parking lot, in the 200 block of Alexa Court in Paso Robles. The vehicle was located with the assistance of an Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR) system. The suspect associated with the vehicle was known to Deputies and had an active no-bail felony warrant for carrying a loaded firearm, possession of narcotics while armed with a firearm, and stalking. The suspect also had an active $15,000 misdemeanor warrant for violation of a domestic violence restraining order. The suspect also made previous statements, to family members, of wanting to commit suicide by cop.
As Deputies attempted to contact the suspect and take him into custody, the suspect's vehicle struck a Sheriff's Office patrol vehicle and fled the location. Deputies initiated a vehicle pursuit of the suspect onto northbound Highway 101. The suspect vehicle later exited Highway 101 in San Miguel and began driving back southbound on Highway 101. During the pursuit on southbound Highway 101, Deputies terminated the pursuit due to public safety concerns. Shortly thereafter, the suspect was involved in a traffic collision on southbound Highway 101, south of Niblick Road.
After the collision, the suspect remained in his vehicle and refused to comply with numerous commands from law enforcement. During this time, a member of the Sheriff's Office Crisis Negotiation Team made multiple attempts to get in contact with the suspect, via cellular phone, in an attempt to gain compliance and come to a peaceful resolution. A member of the Sheriff's Office UAS team also utilized a drone, which was placed on the hood of the suspect's vehicle, to maintain a visual of the interior compartment of the vehicle. After approximately 20 minutes of numerous commands given to the suspect, he then exited his vehicle and immediately pointed a handgun at members of the Sheriff's Office and the Paso Robles Police Department, which prompted an officer involved shooting.
Personnel from the Sheriff's Office and the Paso Robles Police Department then developed a tactical approach to the suspect to render the incident safe and to provide medical attention to the suspect. However, the suspect was pronounced deceased at the scene. No law enforcement personnel were injured during the incident.
During the investigation the handgun was later identified as a Crosman SNR357 .177 caliber pellet/BB gun.
A still image from the Sheriff's Office drone shows Kelly gripping the weapon, with his finger on the trigger, immediately before exiting the vehicle. Still images from the in-car camera systems, captured immediately prior to the shooting, shows Kelley pointing the weapon at law enforcement.
The suspect has been identified as 44-year-old Randall Kelley with no known address but was previously living in San Miguel. In December of 2025 and separately in January of 2026, Kelley was arrested by North Station Deputies for violating a domestic violence restraining order. In February of 2026, Kelley was arrested by the Sheriff's Office for stalking, possession of a loaded firearm, and possession of a controlled substance while armed with a firearm. In September 2026, the above-described felony and misdemeanor warrants were issued for Kelly.
In accordance with department policy, the involved law enforcement personnel have been placed on paid administrative leave and are receiving support services.
The investigation remains ongoing, and there is no threat to the public.
If anyone has additional information on this incident, please contact the Sheriff’s Office Detective Division at 805-781-4500.
No further information is available at this time.
