Manhunt underway for Mason James Lira – Suspected of homicide and assault on a officer
Originally published 06/10/2020 via press release
by San Luis Obispo County Sheriff
Wednesday 06/10/2020 9:33 PM – Suspect Identified
CONTACT: Tony Cipolla
PHONE: (805) 781-4547
TYPE OF INCIDENT: Suspect Identified
DATE AND TIME OF INCIDENT: 6-10-20, Approximately 3:45 AM
PLACE OF OCCURRENCE: Paso Robles Police Department, 900 Park Street, Paso Robles
VICTIM INFORMATION: Male Sheriff’s Deputy
SUSPECT INFORMATION: Mason James Lira, 26, transient
DETAILS OF NEWS RELEASE: The Sheriff’s Office has identified a suspect in a shooting incident which killed a local man and seriously wounded a Sheriff’s Deputy in Paso Robles early this morning. The suspect has been identified as 26-year-old Mason James Lira, a transient from the Monterey area. Lira is accused of a shooting spree which began at approximately 3:45 AM today 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. Lira is considered armed and dangerous. If a member of the public spots Lira, you are advised not to make contact with him. Instead call 911 and report his location to law enforcement.
PREPARED BY: tcipolla
RELEASED: Wednesday 06/10/2020 9:33 PM
Published by BakersfieldNow
Paso Robles, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — UPDATE: Thursday, June 11, 2020 – The San Luis Obispo Sheriff’s Office has released the identity of the deputy shot on Wednesday.
28-year old Nicholas Dreyfus began with the Sheriff’s Office in October 2018.
He is currently assigned to our North County Sheriff’s Station in Templeton.
While searching for the suspect in the active shooter incident, Dreyfus was shot in the face.
He was transported to a local hospital and then flown to a trauma center out of the area where he underwent surgery for his injuries. The surgery was successful.
He is listed in guarded condition and his prognosis is good.
Dreyfus is married. His wife and family members are with him as he recovers.
UPDATE(s) from the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff:
“TYPE OF INCIDENT: Shooting Suspect Update
DATE AND TIME OF INCIDENT: 6-11-20, Approximately 4:00 PM
PLACE OF OCCURRENCE: Ramada Drive and Volpi Ysabel Road, Paso Robles
VICTIM INFORMATION: N/A
SUSPECT INFORMATION: Mason James Lira, 26, transient
DETAILS OF NEWS RELEASE: On 6-11-20 at approximately 2:10 pm the Sheriff’s Office received a report of an officer shot in the area of Ramada Drive and Volpi Ysabel Road in Paso Robles. Law enforcement officers were stationed in this area as part of a containment team assigned to keep the suspect, Mason Lira, from evading officers who were beginning a search of the riverbed. The wounded officer was evacuated from the scene and transported to a local hospital for treatment. Officers arrived at the scene and conducted a search for the suspect, when the suspect opened fire on the officers, wounding two of them. These officers were also evacuated and transported to local area hospitals for treatment. Officers continued their search for the suspect along the Salinas River when they encountered Lira, who had been hiding in the riverbed. The suspect attempted to flee from the riverbed towards Highway 101 when he was shot by law enforcement officers. Mason Lira was pronounced deceased at the scene of the shooting. Officers found Lira in possession of two handguns that are believed to have been stolen from a commercial burglary in the City of San Luis Obispo a few days before the shooting of the Sheriff’s deputy on June 10th. The officers wounded today are employed by the following agencies: California Highway Patrol Arroyo Grande Police Department Kings County Sheriff’s Office The officers transported to local area hospitals are in good condition with non life threatening injuries.”
“TYPE OF INCIDENT: Wounded Deputy Update
DATE AND TIME OF INCIDENT: 6-13-20
PLACE OF OCCURRENCE: San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office
VICTIM INFORMATION: Nicholas Dreyfus, 28
SUSPECT INFORMATION: N/A
DETAILS OF NEWS RELEASE: Tyler Dreyfus, the wife of wounded Deputy Nicholas Dreyfus has sent the Sheriff’s Office and the community the following update on his condition: “Currently Nick remains in critical care but is stable. He has undergone several procedures and continues to be evaluated on a daily basis. Doctors have provided very positive feedback regarding his current condition and prognosis and remain optimistic for a positive outcome. Nick is surrounded by family and fellow Deputies and his spirits are high! On behalf of Nick and his family, we want to thank all of those whom have reached out and shown concern and compassion. All of your support is appreciated and welcomed. Thank you.”
