WATCH: Eviction standoff turns war zone as gunman kills deputy in ambush, gets run over by armored vehicle
Share this @internewscast.com

Gunfire erupted in a quiet Central California cul-de-sac following a tense standoff that tragically resulted in the death of a police officer and the suspect being neutralized by law enforcement.

A neighbor captured the dramatic events in Porterville, California, on video. The footage, obtained by Fox News Digital, shows the standoff reaching its climax at 10:40 a.m. local time on Thursday.

In the video, officers can be heard urgently shouting, “Get down, get down,” while sirens blare in the background.

Tulare County California Sheriff Mike Boudreaux

Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux addressed the media afterward, shedding light on the tragic incident that unfolded when a sheriff’s detective was fatally shot while serving an eviction notice. The suspect, armed with a rifle, reportedly ambushed the deputies.

During the press briefing, Sheriff Boudreaux identified the suspect as David Eric Morales. He explained that Morales was ultimately killed by a law enforcement BearCat armored vehicle after he refused to surrender and continued to fire at officers.

“The suspect was lying on the ground, clad in camouflage, and still posed a serious threat,” Boudreaux stated. “The incident concluded with the suspect’s death. He was not shot; instead, a BearCat vehicle ran over him, resulting in his death.”

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.

Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux speaking at a press conference in Visalia, California

Tulare County Sherrif Mike Boudreaux holds a news conference in Vasalia, California on Jan. 17, 2023. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

The killed officer was identified as Deputy Randy Hoppert.

Boudreaux said that 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.

“We offer our heartfelt sympathies to the family of our fallen Deputy and to the entire Tulare County Sheriff’s Office,” Tulare County Chair Amy Shuklian said. “This profound loss underscores the inherent risks our first responders brave daily to ensure the safety of our community.”

Tulare County Sheriff’s Office Detective Randy Hoppert

Tulare County Sheriff’s Office Detective Randy Hoppert was killed in the line of duty in Porterville, California on April 9. (Clovis Police Department)

Boudreaux said Morales had not paid rent for 35 days, and deputies were serving a final eviction notice when the shooting occurred.

During the standoff, Morales 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.

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.

<!–>

–>

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
US turns to drones after retiring minesweepers to reopen Strait of Hormuz as Iran crisis rages

US Deploys Drones to Safeguard Strait of Hormuz Amid Iran Tensions Following Minesweeper Retirements

The United States is urgently working to reopen the Strait of Hormuz,…

Shocking Security Lapse: Gunman Assembles Weapon in Unsecured Room at White House Correspondents’ Dinner

According to a volunteer at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, the alleged…
Emails reveal reality TV crew’s behind-the-scenes access to sheriff now leading Nancy Guthrie probe

Emails Uncover Reality TV Crew’s Exclusive Access to Sheriff Heading Nancy Guthrie Investigation

EXCLUSIVE ON FOX: The Pima County Sheriff’s Department collaborated extensively with a…
Cole Allen identified as White House Correspondents' Dinner shooter

Shooter at White House Correspondents’ Dinner Revealed as Cole Allen

The individual responsible for the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner…
Trump to skewer the press at White House Correspondents' Dinner

Trump’s Fiery Roast: What to Expect at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner Showdown

This Saturday night, President Trump is poised to engage with the “fake…
Justice Department adopting firing squads for executions to expedite capital punishment cases

U.S. Justice Department Reinstates Firing Squads to Accelerate Execution Process in Capital Punishment Cases

The Justice Department is set to introduce firing squads as an approved…
Mom who got 2-day sentence after killing baby while high arrested for endangering someone else's child

Repeat Offender: Mother Previously Jailed for Infant’s Death Faces New Charges of Child Endangerment

A mother from Pennsylvania, previously found guilty of unintentionally causing her infant…
Heart-stopping moment LA driver barely escapes death in fatal chain-reaction crash on LA freeway

Miraculous Escape: LA Driver Survives Fatal Freeway Chain-Reaction Crash

A driver is fortunate to be alive after narrowly avoiding an out-of-control…
Cole Allen identified as suspect in White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting

Suspect Cole Allen Named in Shocking White House Correspondents’ Dinner Shooting Incident

Cole Allen, a 31-year-old from Torrance, California, has been accused of firing…
Talks in Pakistan on hold as Iran's top diplomat leaves Islamabad and Trump's envoys are a no-show

Diplomatic Discussions in Pakistan Paused: Iran’s Foreign Minister Departs Islamabad and U.S. Envoys Absent

Diplomatic efforts between the United States and Iran hit a standstill after…
Ships seized by Iranians 'armed to the teeth' along Strait of Hormuz have been taken toward port: report

Iranian Forces Heavily Arm and Seize Ships in Strait of Hormuz: Latest Developments Unfold

Two container ships have been seized by Iranian forces in the strategic…
South Carolina murderer Timothy Jones Jr's father recalls knowing son killed his five children

Father of South Carolina’s Timothy Jones Jr. Shares Heartbreaking Moment He Discovered Son’s Crime

When Timothy Jones Sr. discovered his grandchildren were missing, a profound and…