UPDATE: Suspect Who Fired a Weapon at SCE Employees in Mentone Identified
August 16, 2026 – San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department officials report that on Friday, August 14, 2026, at about 
10:50 a.m., deputies from the Yucaipa Sheriff’s Station responded to a residence in the 300 block of King Street after a male subject reportedly fired a weapon at Southern California Edison (SCE) employees who were working along the roadway near his home. When deputies arrived, the suspect barricaded himself inside the residence.
The Sheriff’s Specialized Enforcement Division (SED) responded, and crisis negotiators attempted to communicate with the suspect and gain his surrender. Shortly after 2:00 p.m., the suspect fired at SED deputies, resulting in a deputy involved shooting, and the suspect was struck by gunfire.
Medical personnel attempted lifesaving measures, but the suspect was pronounced deceased at the scene. No civilians or deputies were injured during the incident.
The Specialized Investigations Division has assumed the investigation. Additional information, including the identity of the suspect, will be released as it becomes available.
Updated Information: San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department officials report that during the subsequent investigation, detectives learned employees and contractors from Southern California Edison (SCE), ACE Tree Enterprises, and Evergreen Traffic Control were trimming trees within an easement on the property belonging to Paul Ronald Selby.
Selby armed himself with a firearm and fired multiple rounds at the SCE employees and private contractors. When deputies arrived, Selby barricaded himself inside the home and refused to exit.
The Sheriff’s Specialized Enforcement Division (SED) responded to assist. SED personnel positioned armored vehicles near the home. Over several hours, deputies made many public announcements directing Selby to exit the home, but he refused to comply. Deputies deployed chemical munitions into the home to gain Selby’s safe surrender. Selby’s wife exited the residence and was safely removed from the scene. While inside the home, Selby fired his weapon at deputies and a deputy involved shooting occurred. Selby was struck by gunfire and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The investigation is ongoing and this will be the last update.
Anyone with information related to this case is asked to contact the Specialized Investigations Division at 909-890-4904. Callers wishing to remain anonymous should call or text REPORT to We-Tip at 844-909-3006. Online reporting is also available at: https://mobile.catapultems.com/sbcsd/Sites.
DATE: August 14, 2026, at about 10:50 a.m.
INCIDENT: Assault with a Firearm Results in a Deputy Involved Shooting
LOCATION: 300 Block of King Street, Mentone, CA
SUSPECT(S): Paul Ronald Selby, 78-year-old Resident of Mentone
VICTIM(S): Confidential – Southern California Edison (SCE) Employees
Refer: Detective E. Badillo or Sergeant A. Bilbao
Station: Specialized Investigations Division
Phone No. 909-890-4904
Case No. 042602469
Source: San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department
