PORTERVILLE, California — The suspect accused of fatally shooting a Tulare County sheriff’s deputy while deputies served an eviction notice was killed later Thursday when a Kern County Sheriff’s Office BearCat armored vehicle ran him over, Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux announced.
Sheriff Boudreaux, speaking at a news conference, confirmed that the suspect, identified as 59-year-old David Morales, was pronounced dead at the scene after the incident. “We intentionally ran him over,” Sheriff Boudreaux said. “You shoot at cops, we’re going to run you over. He got run over; he got what he deserved.”
The confrontation began earlier in the day when deputies arrived at a residence in Porterville to serve an eviction notice. Shots were fired at law enforcement, prompting a response from multiple agencies. One Tulare County deputy was shot and later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
Sheriff Boudreaux told reporters that the situation remained fluid even as he addressed the media. At the time of his update, the suspect was lying prone on the ground in camouflage clothing and continued to pose a threat by firing at officers. The standoff ended when one of the BearCats ran over Morales, who was not shot by law enforcement.
“He was continuing to resist the SWAT team up until that final moment,” Sheriff Boudreaux said, adding that the incident occurred while he was speaking with the media. “We’re happy that this resulted in no further officers being injured. We’re happy that no citizens were harmed in any way. This gentleman created this situation.”
The sheriff noted that Morales was not wanted for any prior crimes and had no apparent criminal history, describing the shooting as senseless. “It makes no sense. Does he have a mental health issue? Was he just becoming violent for an unknown reason? We don’t know. We may never know the answer to it. But what I can say is he’s no longer alive. That’s the way I prefer it.”
The fallen deputy leaves behind a pregnant wife, who is four months along, and young children, including a situation where a four-month-old baby will never know their father. Sheriff Boudreaux expressed anger over the loss while emphasizing that the focus should remain on the slain officer and his family.
Multiple agencies assisted in the response, including the Fresno Police Department for intelligence gathering, Porterville Police Department, Visalia Police Department, and Kern County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Boudreaux praised their cooperation and the community’s assistance.
He also addressed concerns about potential booby traps, stating that a bomb team and specialized dog teams would clear the area. Residents in the immediate vicinity were initially unable to return home for safety reasons, with authorities estimating at least two to three hours before the scene could be secured. Schools in the area were impacted, but students were expected to return the following day after Porterville Police coordinated with families and districts.
Tactical teams used five BearCat armored vehicles to surround the suspect, who had barricaded himself and refused repeated opportunities to surrender peacefully. Family members attempted to negotiate via text messages, urging him to come out, but Morales reportedly indicated he intended to go down “in a blaze of glory” and would not surrender.
Law enforcement employed a range of de-escalation tactics, from verbal commands to less-lethal options and crisis negotiation, but the suspect continued firing throughout the day. No law enforcement shots were fired at Morales; he was killed solely by the armored vehicle.
Visalia Police Department was asked to lead the investigation to ensure transparency, as Tulare County and Kern County personnel were directly involved. The scene is expected to require several days of evidence collection, including shell casings, firearms, and a thorough search of the residence, which was damaged during the operation as tactical teams used specialized equipment to breach the structure.
Sheriff Boudreaux expressed confidence in his agency’s leadership and the decisions made by on-scene commanders. He also conveyed condolences to the suspect’s family, noting they were cooperative with investigators and appeared equally confused by the events.
Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer issued a statement on the tragedy: “Today is a tragic day in the Central Valley. A Tulare County Sheriff’s deputy was taken from us in a senseless act of violence while serving and protecting his community. This loss goes far beyond one department. It’s felt across all law enforcement and throughout our valley. The result has left a pregnant wife without her husband and young children to grow up without their father. We are praying for the deputy’s family.”
The incident has been described as a homicide investigation, with authorities prioritizing support for officers dealing with emotional trauma and the grieving process for the department. Sheriff Boudreaux stated that the coming days would focus on healing while honoring the fallen deputy, whose name will be added to the peace officers’ memorial.
Residents of Porterville and Tulare County were assured of the professionalism and readiness of local law enforcement. “You’ve got great men and women working in law enforcement, working to do the right thing, and we’re going to be okay,” Sheriff Boudreaux said. “This subject is no longer a threat to you or your family.”
The full details of the deputy’s identity and further investigation updates are expected in the coming days as the independent probe proceeds.
