{"id":325060,"date":"2026-05-20T20:18:08","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T20:18:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/325060\/"},"modified":"2026-05-20T20:18:08","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T20:18:08","slug":"police-video-shows-fate-of-cop-killing-gunman-at-hands-of-california-sheriffs-deputy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/325060\/","title":{"rendered":"Police video shows fate of cop-killing gunman at hands of California sheriff’s deputy"},"content":{"rendered":"

Newly released police video shows the moment a California gunman accused of killing a sheriff\u2019s detective<\/a> was fatally flattened by an armored BearCat vehicle after an hours-long standoff.<\/p>\n

Video from the April 8 confrontation, shared by the Kern County<\/a> Sheriff\u2019s Office, shows deputies pinned down by relentless gunfire<\/a> before the suspect, David Eric Morales, is ultimately subdued by an armored vehicle after repeatedly ignoring commands to drop his weapon.<\/p>\n

Newly released police video shows the moment a California gunman accused of killing a sheriff\u2019s detective was flattened by an armored BearCat vehicle after an hours-long standoff. Kern County Sheriff<\/p>\n

The footage begins with deputies approaching a Porterville home to deliver an eviction notice, but within moments, chaos explodes around them.<\/p>\n

Gunshots ring out as deputies scramble for cover, with investigators later saying Morales appeared to have \u201clain in wait\u201d for law enforcement officers before opening fire with a high-powered rifle.<\/p>\n

The gripping video, shared by the Tulare County Sheriff\u2019s Office, shows deputies pinned down by relentless gunfire before the suspect, David Eric Morales, is ultimately subdued. Kern County Sheriff<\/p>\n

Gunshots ring out as deputies scramble for cover, with investigators later saying Morales appeared to have \u201clain in wait\u201d for law enforcement officers before opening fire with a high-powered rifle. Kern County Sheriff<\/p>\n

Deputy Randy Hoppert\u2014a detective with the sheriff\u2019s office and former Navy corpsman\u2014was struck during the ambush and later died at a hospital. Tulare Sheriff\/Facebook<\/p>\n

Deputy Randy Hoppert \u2014 a detective with the sheriff\u2019s office and former Navy corpsman \u2014 was struck during the ambush and later died at a hospital.<\/p>\n

Authorities said the confrontation spiraled into a tense hours-long siege as Morales barricaded himself inside the home while repeatedly firing at deputies and tactical equipment outside.<\/p>\n

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Sheriff Mike Boudreaux previously said Morales even shot a drone out of the sky while multiple armored vehicles withstood gunfire during the standoff.<\/p>\n

Later in the footage, Morales is seen outside the house, sprawled out in the brush and clad in camouflage, as deputies reputedly shout commands for him to surrender.<\/p>\n

Later in the footage, Morales is seen outside the house, sprawled in the brush and clad in camouflage, as deputies shout repeated commands for him to surrender. Juan Guerrero<\/p>\n

\u201cThe suspect was lying prone on the ground, in camouflage clothing, continuing to pose a threat,\u201d Boudreaux said during a prior news conference.<\/p>\n

Moments later, a sheriff\u2019s deputy drove a BearCat armored vehicle directly over the suspect.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe situation was resolved, and the suspect is now dead. He was not shot. One of the BearCats ran over him and killed him,\u201d Boudreaux said at the time.<\/p>\n

Authorities said Morales had not paid rent for 35 days and deputies were serving a final eviction notice when the deadly run-in unfolded around 10:40 a.m. <\/p>\n

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Hoppert, who joined the sheriff\u2019s office in January 2020 after serving in the military from 2010 to 2015, was rushed to Sierra View District Hospital but died from his injuries.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis situation went from a civil order of removal to where our officer was shot and killed. This is senseless,\u201d Boudreaux said.<\/p>\n

Hoppert, who joined the sheriff\u2019s office in January 2020 after serving in the military from 2010 to 2015, was rushed to Sierra View District Hospital but died from his injuries at 11:57 a.m. Ron Holman \/ Visalia Times-Delta \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images<\/p>\n

The sheriff later delivered a blunt warning about the suspect\u2019s fate.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t shoot at cops<\/a>. You shoot at cops, we\u2019re going to run you over. He got run over. He got what he deserved,\u201d Boudreaux told reporters.<\/p>\n

Boudreaux also said he met with Hoppert\u2019s grieving wife and mother following the detective\u2019s death.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can tell you there is no consoling that family at this point,\u201d the sheriff said. \u201cAttacks on law enforcement of this nature must stop.\u201d<\/p>\n

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