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.
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.
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.
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 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.
