#California deputy shot in the head during ‘ambush’ at police station

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Mason James Lira
San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office

A gunman shot a California sheriff’s deputy in the head during an ambush at a San Luis Obispo County police station — then fled the scene and allegedly killed a homeless man.

The gunman, identified as Mason James Lira, started his rampage when he opened fire on the Paso Robles Police Department at about 3:45 a.m. and shot one responding police officer in the face, according to the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office.

Windows and a door were shot out at the building. No one inside had been hurt.

“We feel that this was an ambush, that he planned it, that he intended for officers to come out of the police department and to assault them,” San Luis Obispo County Sheriff Ian Parkinson said at a press conference.

Lira, 26, fled the scene as the injured officer was being attended to. The wounded deputy was in serious but stable condition with a bullet lodged in his head, the chief said.

Police later found a homeless man shot to death at the Paso Robles train station. The 58-year-old, unidentified transient was shot once at close range in the back of the head, police said.

Cops were on the lookout for Lira last night as they released pictures of the suspect and warned that he may be armed.

With Wires