The Brief
A Tulare County sheriff’s deputy was shot and killed Thursday morning while serving an eviction notice at a Central California home, authorities said.
After the shooting, the suspect had barricaded himself inside the home, but was later run over and killed by law enforcement.
The deputy that was shot was part of a group of officers that arrived to help after gunfire began, Tulare County authorities said.
PORTERVILLE, Calif. – A Tulare County sheriff’s deputy was shot and killed Thursday morning while serving an eviction notice at a Central California home, authorities said.
After the shooting, the man barricaded himself inside his home, but hours later he was run over and killed by law enforcement. The shooting took place just after 10 a.m. in Porterville, Calif., a town of about 64,000 people an hour north of Bakersfield.
Shooting occurred while deputies served eviction notice
What we know
Authorities identified the suspect as 60-year-old David Morales. He was armed with a rifle inside the home.
The shooting took place at Newcomb Street and Grand Avenue, KMPH reported.
Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux said nearby homes were being cleared amid the extremely dangerous situation.
Neighborhood sheltering in place
Residents in the area were asked to shelter in place, while nearby schools were placed on lockdown.
Boudreaux said Morales hadn’t paid his rent for 35 days and was expecting law enforcement to arrive and serve a final eviction notice.
The sheriff said he “laid in waiting” and immediately shot at officers when they arrived.
The deputy that was shot was part of a group of officers that arrived to help after gunfire began, Boudreaux said.
He was taken to a hospital where he died.
The Source
Associated Press, Tulare County Sheriff’s Department