James Harding Watson, 58, was shot and killed on June 10, 2020, in Paso Robles, California. His body was found near the Amtrak station at 8th and Pine streets by local business owners about 7 a.m. The Paso Robles Police Department reported that Mason James Lira, 26, from Monterey, shot Watson at close range; investigators said Watson was likely one of Lira’s first victims before Lira targeted the Paso Robles police station and wounded a responding San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s deputy.

Watson was described as homeless in initial reports, but his family stressed he had lived in the community for more than 50 years and was a loving father, brother, and son who struggled with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and had chosen to live on the streets to avoid harming his family. The family held a service on June 22 and organized a GoFundMe to help with funeral expenses.