Man Shot and Killed Along Highway 101 After Chase Thursday Identified as Randall Kelley

PASO ROBLES, Calif. (KEYT) – On Friday, more information was released about 44-year-old Randall Kelley, the man who was shot and killed by officers and deputies after a chase on Highway 101 Thursday.

On Sep. 17, around 8 a.m., deputies located Kelley's vehicle using an automatic license plate recognition system in the parking lot of the Hampton Inn on Alexa Court in Paso Robles stated a press release from the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office Friday.

According to the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office, Kelley had an active no-bail felony warrant for carrying a loaded firearm, possession of narcotics while armed, and stalking as well as an active $15,000 misdemeanor warrant for violation of a domestic violence restraining order.

Kelley made earlier statements to family members about wanting to commit suicide by cop added the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office.

As responding deputies attempted to take Kelley into custody, he crashed his vehicle into a Sheriff's patrol vehicle before fleeing the scene and starting a vehicle pursuit that ended up on northbound Highway 101 stated the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office.

Kelley turned around near Mission Street in San Miguel and headed back south on Highway 101 towards Paso Robles during the chase noted the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office.

A spike strip was deployed several times and pursuing units called off the chase as they approached Paso Robles city limits due to safety concerns explained the local law enforcement agency Thursday.

Kelley was involved in a vehicle collision while driving on Highway 101 and came to a stop on the side of the roadway near the Niblick Road overpass detailed the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office.

According to the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office, deputies issued commands and a member of the Sheriff's Crisis Negotiation Team used a cell phone to try and get Kelley to exit the vehicle, but the 44-year-old declined and remained inside.

After approximately 20 minutes into the standoff, Kelley exited his vehicle and pointed a handgun at deputies and responding Paso Robles Police Department officers shared the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office.

"Shots were fired, and the suspect was pronounced deceased at the scene," stated the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office Thursday.

Law enforcement attempted to provide medical attention, but he was pronounced dead at the scene noted the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office.

No members of law enforcement were injured during the incident added the local sheriff's office.

According to the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office, an investigation later revealed that Kelley had pointed a Crosman SNR357 .177 caliber pellet gun at responding deputies and officers.

Three officers with the Paso Robles Police Department and two Sheriff's deputies were directly involved in the exchange of gunfire and the Sheriff's Office Major Crimes Unit and Professional Standards Unit as well as members of the California Highway Patrol are conducting concurrent investigations detailed the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office.

Kelley's last known address was in San Miguel and he was previously arrested for violating a domestic violence restraining order in December of 2025 and in January of 2026, and in February of this year he was arrested by deputies for stalking, possession of a loaded firearm, and possession of a controlled substance while armed with a firearm explained the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office.

Felony and misdemeanor warrants for the 44-year-old's arrest were issued in September of this year added the local sheriff's office.

According to the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office, there is no ongoing threat to the public at this time, but the incident remains under investigation.

Anyone with more information is asked to contact the Sheriff's Detective Division at 805-781-4500.