A Tulare County sheriff\u2019s deputy was killed Thursday morning while assisting officers serving an eviction notice in Porterville. The incident turned into a barricade situation and shootout. <\/p>\n
The deputy was struck with the fatal shot while exchanging fire with the gunman, who was using a high-powered rifle, Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux said during a news conference. The suspect remained barricaded as of Thursday afternoon.<\/p>\n
He said sheriff\u2018s deputies and local police officers rescued the wounded deputy and took him to Sierra View Medical Center, where he later died. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis situation went from a civil order of removal to our officer being shot and killed,\u201d Boudreaux said. \u201cThis is senseless.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said the deputy was a detective with the department and had responded to calls for help from officers who were serving an eviction notice. <\/p>\n
The sheriff said that \u201c99.9 times out of 10 on a civil notice it\u2019s a pretty peaceful venture, but in this situation it was not.\u201d <\/p>\n
Boudreaux could not say how long the deputy had served in the department but said he had spoken to him in the hallway the day before. <\/p>\n
He said the deputy, whom he did not name, was a father who is survived by a wife who is 4 months pregnant. <\/p>\n
\u201cI can tell you there is no consoling that family at this point,\u201d he said. \u201cAttacks on law enforcement of this nature must stop. This is absolutely ridiculous, and my heart and prayers go out to the family of this fallen deputy.\u201d <\/p>\n
A procession was held later for the deputy from Sierra View Hospital to the Tulare County coroner\u2019s office.<\/p>\n
Boudreaux identified the suspected gunman as 59-year-old David Morales. No further details about the suspect were released Thursday. <\/p>\n
The shooting occurred at 10:30 a.m. near the intersection of Newcomb Street and Grand Avenue, prompting other deputies and officers with the Porterville Police Department to respond. The officers also issued a radio call for help. <\/p>\n
\u201cThere was a pause of about 15 minutes to where the subject came and began exchanging gunfire,\u201d he said. \u201cMultiple rounds were fired and one of our officers was struck.\u201d <\/p>\n