San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office identifies shooting suspect

September 18, 2026

By KAREN VELIE

The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office identified the man killed in an officer involved shooting on Thursday morning in Paso Robles as 44-year-old Randall Kelley of San Miguel.

Shortly after 8 a.m., deputies tracked Kelley’s Ram truck to the Hampton Inn Suites parking lot in Paso Robles with the help of an automatic license plate reader. Kelly was under a felony arrest warrant for carrying a loaded firearm, possession of narcotics while armed with a firearm, and stalking.

Kelley also had an active $15,000 misdemeanor warrant for violation of a domestic violence restraining order.

In addition, Kelley had threatened suicide by cop.

As deputies attempted to take Kelley into custody at the parking lot, Kelley crashed his truck into a sheriff’s patrol vehicle and fled northbound on Highway 101. Kelley later exited and reentered Highway 101 in San Miguel, this time heading southbound with speeds of over 100 mph.

After deputies terminated the pursuit because of public safety concerns, Kelley crashed on southbound Highway 101, south of Niblick Road. He remained in his vehicle and refused to comply with numerous commands from law enforcement.

After approximately 20 minutes, Kelley exited his vehicle and immediately pointed a handgun at law enforcement, prompting three sheriff deputies and two Paso Robles officers to fire at the armed suspect.

Kelley was pronounced dead at the scene. No law enforcement personnel were injured.

Investigators are asking anyone with additional information about the incident to contact the deputies at (805) 781-4500.