Gunman arrested after allegedly shooting Paso firefighter

Monterey County law enforcement took a Santa Cruz man into custody Monday night after he allegedly shot a U.S. Forest Service firefighter from Paso Robles and fled onto Fort Hunter Liggett property.

Sheriff’s deputies began pursuing Jacob Kirkendall, 25, at about 5:30 p.m. after he allegedly shot Division Chief Peter Harris, according to Cmdr. John Thornburg and Mike Preasmeyer, Harris’ father-in-law.

Harris was driving back to San Luis Obispo County after helping fight a fire in the Big Sur area when he encountered Kirkendall, who fired a shotgun at him, Preasmeyer said. Spray from the shot caused superficial wounds to Harris’ ear, neck and the back of his head, and he was able to drive away and seek help, Preasmeyer said.

Meanwhile, Kirkendall led deputies on a vehicle chase down the road and onto Fort Hunter Liggett, where he abandoned his vehicle and continued fleeing on foot.

At one point during the chase, the deputies fired their weapons, although the suspect was not injured, Thornburg said. The Monterey County District Attorney’s Office is investigating the officer-involved shooting, as it does with all such incidents, he said.

Law enforcement searched for Kirkendall with help from a California Highway Patrol helicopter, and eventually apprehended him.

Kirkendall was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon and shooting at an inhabited vehicle. He’s being held in the Monterey County Jail in lieu of $1.2 million bail.

Harris was treated at a hospital, but has since been released, according to Thornburg and Preasmeyer. Deputies are questioning Kirkendall to determine a motive for the shooting, Thornburg said.

This story was originally published December 12, 2017 at 2:51 PM with the headline "Gunman arrested after allegedly shooting Paso firefighter."