A 44-year-old man was fatally shot by law enforcement after authorities said he pointed a pellet gun at officers following a pursuit and crash on Highway 101 near Paso Robles, the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office said Friday.

The man was identified as Randall Kelley, who had no known address but had previously lived in San Miguel, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies located Kelley’s vehicle shortly after 8 a.m. Thursday in the Hampton Inn parking lot in the 200 block of Alexa Court in Paso Robles with the assistance of an automatic license plate recognition system.

Authorities Said Suspect Wanted ‘Suicide by Cop’

Authorities said Kelley had an active no-bail felony warrant for carrying a loaded firearm, possession of narcotics while armed with a firearm, and stalking. He also had a $15,000 misdemeanor warrant for violating a domestic violence restraining order.

The Sheriff’s Office said Kelley had previously told family members he wanted to provoke law enforcement into fatally shooting him.

When deputies attempted to take Kelley into custody, authorities said his vehicle struck a Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle before he fled. Deputies pursued him onto northbound Highway 101.

Kelley later exited the highway in San Miguel and headed back southbound on Highway 101. Deputies terminated the pursuit because of public safety concerns, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Shortly afterward, Kelley was involved in a traffic collision on southbound Highway 101 south of Niblick Road.

Suspect Remained in Vehicle

Authorities said Kelley remained inside his vehicle and refused numerous commands from law enforcement. A member of the Sheriff’s Office Crisis Negotiation Team attempted several times to contact him by cellphone and persuade him to surrender peacefully.

A Sheriff’s Office drone was also placed on the hood of Kelley’s vehicle to give authorities a view inside.

After about 20 minutes, Kelley exited the vehicle and immediately pointed what appeared to be a handgun at members of the Sheriff’s Office and Paso Robles Police Department, prompting officers to open fire, authorities said.

Law enforcement personnel then approached Kelley to secure the scene and provide medical aid, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. No law enforcement personnel were injured.

Investigators later determined the weapon Kelley was holding was a Crosman SNR357 .177-caliber pellet/BB gun.

Drone Footage Shows Weapon

The Sheriff’s Office said drone footage showed Kelley gripping the weapon with his finger on the trigger immediately before leaving his vehicle. Images from law enforcement in-car cameras also showed Kelley pointing the weapon at officers immediately before the shooting.

Kelley had been arrested by North Station deputies in December 2025 and January 2026 for violating a domestic violence restraining order, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

He was arrested again in February on allegations of stalking, possession of a loaded firearm, and possession of a controlled substance while armed with a firearm. The felony and misdemeanor warrants were issued in September.

Law enforcement personnel involved in the shooting were placed on paid administrative leave in accordance with department policy and are receiving support services.

Got a Tip?

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office Detective Division at (805) 781-4500.

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