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A California sheriff’s detective was shot and killed Thursday while serving an eviction notice after an armed suspect opened fire on deputies in what authorities described as an apparent ambush that led to an hours-long standoff.
The suspect, identified as David Eric Morales, was ultimately killed when a law enforcement BearCat armored vehicle ran over him after he continued firing and refused to surrender, authorities said.
“The suspect was lying prone on the ground, in camouflage clothing, continuing to pose a threat,” Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux said later during a news conference. “The situation was resolved, and the suspect is now dead. He was not shot. One of the BearCats ran over him and killed him.”
Boudreaux said the shooting happened around 10:40 a.m. in Porterville, where deputies encountered Morales, who allegedly fired at them with a high-powered rifle.
Authorities said Morales remained barricaded in his home for hours after the shooting, firing repeatedly as deputies and assisting agencies worked to contain the scene.
Boudreaux said Morales eventually exited the home through a window and was later found outside, lying in brush while wearing camouflage and continuing to pose a threat.
The detective, identified by Boudreaux as Deputy Randy Hoppert, was struck by gunfire and transported to Sierra View District Hospital, where he died at 11:57 a.m.
Hoppert was a Navy corpsman who served from 2010 to 2015 and joined the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office on Jan. 5, 2020, Boudreaux said.
“This situation went from a civil order of removal to where our officer was shot and killed. This is senseless,” Boudreaux said.
Authorities considered airlifting the Hoppert to Fresno, but his condition was too unstable for transport.
Boudreaux said Morales had not paid rent for 35 days, and deputies were serving a final eviction notice when the shooting occurred.
The sheriff said Morales appeared to have been waiting for deputies and “laid in wait” before opening fire, prompting a call for additional units.
Boudreaux described the outcome in blunt terms.
“Don’t shoot at cops. You shoot at cops, we’re going to run you over. He got run over. He got what he deserved,” the sheriff said.
He added that the suspect had “chosen this ending.”
The sheriff also told reporters he spent time with Hoppert’s wife and mother earlier this afternoon.
“I sat down at the hospital and met with the wife and his mom, and I can tell you there is no consoling that family at this point,” Boudreaux said. “Attacks on law enforcement of this nature must stop.”
During the standoff, Morales allegedly fired at law enforcement vehicles and equipment, including a drone that was shot out of the air, while multiple tactical vehicles took gunfire, according to Boudreaux.
Law enforcement agencies across the region responded to assist, and an escort was being organized to accompany Hoppert’s body from the hospital to the coroner’s office, Boudreaux said.
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