Wanted Man Shot and Killed in Paso Robles After Vehicle Chase on Highway 101 Thursday

PASO ROBLES, Calif. (KEYT) – A wanted man has died after an officer-involved shooting in Paso Robles following a pursuit on Highway 101 Thursday.

The identity of the man has not been publicly released.

Deputies initially contacted the man, who was wanted in connection with a felony stalking case, while he was inside of his vehicle in a parking lot in Paso Robles stated a press release from the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office Thursday.

According to the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office, the driver accelerated his vehicle backwards, hitting a Sheriff's patrol vehicle, and then sped off starting a vehicle pursuit that ended up on northbound Highway 101.

The man eventually turned around near Mission Street in San Miguel and headed back south 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.

The driver later crashed his vehicle while driving on Highway 101 and came to a stop on the side of the roadway near the Niblick Road overpass stated the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office.

According to the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office, deputies and a member of the Sheriff's Crisis Negotiation Team contacted the man who remained inside of his vehicle.

Eventually, the man 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.

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.

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, there is no ongoing threat to the public at this time, but the incident remains under investigation.