One Deputy Shot and Killed in Active Porterville Shooting, Tulare County Sheriff Says

PORTERVILLE, Calif. (KFSN) — Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux confirms a Tulare County Sheriff’s Office detective was shot and killed during a confrontation in Porterville.

Deputies were serving an eviction notice near Brian Ave. and N. Salisbury St. around 10:40 a.m. Thursday when shots were fired.

Authorities say the suspect, identified as David Morales, born in 1966, is barricaded inside the home and believed to be armed with a high-powered rifle. Multiple shots have been exchanged.

Detective Randy Hoppert was struck and taken to Sierra View Medical Center in Porterville following a tactical rescue but later died.

Sheriff Boudreaux says officials considered using a medivac helicopter to transport Detective Hoppert to the trauma center at Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno, but the deputy’s condition was deemed too volatile for air transport.

The detective leaves behind a wife who is four months pregnant.

Hoppert served in the U.S. Navy from 2010 to 2015 and joined the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office on January 5, 2020.

His grandfather previously served as a Tulare County undersheriff.

Preparations are underway for a procession of the deputy’s body from Sierra View Medical Center to the Tulare County Coroner’s Office.

Several SWAT teams are clearing nearby homes as Sheriff Boudreaux stressed the situation remains extremely dangerous.

Boudreaux said the eviction was a final notice after the suspect failed to pay rent for 35 days and was expecting law enforcement to arrive.

He said Morales “laid in wait,” and when deputies arrived to serve the notice, they immediately came under gunfire and called for assistance.

The detective who was killed was part of the group of officers who responded to help, with Boudreaux saying the deputy died around noon, roughly 60 to 80 minutes after the eviction process began.

Residents are urged to stay away from the area. Those inside nearby homes are asked to shelter in place unless approached by a SWAT team for evacuation. If contacted by officers, residents should follow all instructions, keep their hands visible, and avoid movements that could be perceived as a threat.

Crisis negotiators are now on scene, with officers from multiple agencies assisting. The California Highway Patrol has also deployed a helicopter equipped with technology to help locate the suspect.

Westfield Elementary, Sequoia Middle School, and Monache High School remain in a secure status, with students safe inside. Parents should monitor ParentSquare for pickup instructions, as buses will not operate and students will not be allowed to walk home.

Boudreaux also confirmed the office of Gov. Gavin Newsom has requested a briefing on the situation.

This is the first line-of-duty death for the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office since December 7, 2007, nearly 20 years ago.

This is a developing story.

The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office released the following statement:

SUSPECT KILLED DURING EVENING OPERATION

At around 6 p.m., Sheriff Boudreaux said Morales had left the home and was moving through the yards of at least three nearby houses while wearing tactical equipment and camouflage.

Boudreaux said a Kern County SWAT team drove an BearCat vehicle into a yard where Morales was located.

Morale was found lying prone on the ground, and started firing at the armored vehicles.

Morale was found lying prone on the ground, and started firing at the armored vehicles.

Morale was found lying prone on the ground, and started firing at the armored vehicles.

Gov. Gavin Newsom posted on X, saying Hoppert’s sacrifice will always be remembered, and his legacy will endure.

“Jennifer and I mourn the profound loss of Sheriff’s Deputy Randy Hoppert, a dedicated public servant for Tulare County,” Newsom wrote. “Deputy Hoppert’s legacy will endure and his sacrifice will always be remembered. In honor of Deputy Hoppert, I’ve ordered flags at the State Capitol and Capitol Annex Swing Space be flown at half-staff.”