California Police Conduct Manhunt For Shooter Who Allegedly Killed Man, Wounded Officer

Police in Central California are conducting a manhunt for a suspect involved in a police shooting Wednesday outside the Paso Robles Police Department building. One deputy was injured and police found a body believed to have been shot and killed by the same gunman.

“Investigators believe the homicide is related to the shooting incident this morning that is being investigated by the Sheriff's Office,” the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office said in a statement.

The first shooting took place around 3 a.m. Wednesday when an armed man said to be in his 20s or 30s appeared outside the Paso Robles police building. He began firing on the building, wounding one officer from the sheriff’s office.

Additional deputies and California Highway Patrol arrived to help, but the suspect fled the scene before police could arrest him.

An airlift arrived shortly after to evacuate the wounded deputy, who is said to be in serious but stable condition at a local trauma center. Police have not released the name of the deputy and no other officers were wounded in the shooting.

Officers found the second victim’s body around 7 a.m. near Paso Robles’ Amtrak station. Police said they suspect the victim, described as a male in his 40s, was killed by a headshot at close range by the shooter.

A shelter-in-place order has been issued for Paso Robles as police ask residents to remain in their homes while they search the surrounding area for the shooter. San Luis Obispo District Attorney Dan Dow on Twitter asked residents to keep the local officers “in their prayer” as they conducted their search.

“If you have information please contact the Paso Robles Police Department," the department said.