Man Shot at Artwalk Had Lengthy Record

The 28-year-old transient fatally shot by a police officer last weekend after brandishing a weapon and leading officers on a foot chase through downtown had an extensive criminal record in San Luis Obispo County, authorities said Monday.

Jason Todd Hayley’s record over the past 10 years included possession and sales of dangerous weapons, assault with a deadly weapon, robbery, theft, narcotics violations, obstruction and resisting arrest, said Ventura Police Department Lt. Don Arth.

The loaded handgun Hayley had in his possession when he was shot was stolen in a recent residential burglary, Arth said.

Hayley was also a suspect in other residential burglaries in the days preceding the shooting, Arth said.

Cpl. Raymond Broomfield shot Hayley in the back from a distance of about 40 feet about 6:20 p.m. Saturday near the corner of Poli and Oak streets.

Hayley, armed with a Smith and Wesson .38-caliber revolver, led police on a chase through several downtown businesses before he was shot by Broomfield, authorities said.

The 20-minute chase occurred when hundreds of families with children were attending the city’s annual Artwalk celebration.

“He put a lot of people in danger--not just the officers, but the general public that was down there,” Arth said.

“No one knew what his motivations were or what he was capable of doing. . . . Fortunately, he didn’t hurt anybody.”

Broomfield is on paid administrative leave until the department’s investigation is complete, Arth said.