PASO ROBLES, California — Police and deputies were responding to a shooting Thursday as they conducted a manhunt for a suspect accused of killing a man and seriously wounding a deputy in an ambush.
There was a massive law enforcement response to the scene in the area of Highway 46 and Ramada Drive. According to KCOY, “hundreds of officers” were responding. Residents in the area were being told to shelter-in-place.
Shots fired in the area of 46W / Ramada. Stay out of area.
— Paso Robles Police (@PasoRoblesPD) June 11, 2020
The Sheriff’s Office identified the suspect in the Wednesday incident as 26-year-old Mason James Lira, a transient from the Monterey area.
This is our suspect from the active shooter. If you see him or have info, call 9-1-1 or 805-237-6464 pic.twitter.com/S2xFZFnCkm
— Paso Robles Police (@PasoRoblesPD) June 10, 2020
Lira is accused of a shooting spree which began at approximately 3:45 AM Wednesday when he started shooting at the Paso Robles Police Department building. A Sheriff’s Deputy who responded to that call was shot in the face and later a local man was found shot to death at the Paso Robles train station.
A widespread search of downtown Paso Robles was conducted but the suspect was not located.
“We had an unprovoked attack on local law enforcement, and in my opinion the act of a coward,” San Luis Obispo County Sheriff Ian Parkinson said.
Lira is considered armed and dangerous.
