A deranged gunman who killed a police deputy was killed by an armored vehicle during an April 9 altercation in Porterville, California.
The incident began when deputies with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office traveled to 59-year-old suspect David Morales home to serve an eviction notice, as reported by local station KFSN.
Morales opened fire with a high-powered rifle and killed Deputy Randy Hoppert. According to Sheriff Mike Boudreaux, the act was premeditated.
“He armed himself and prepared himself, and he lay in wait,” the sheriff later said.
In response, deputies used every tool in their arsenal — including drones and armored vehicles — to try to capture Morales.
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(Video Credit: Kern County Sheriff)
A press release from the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office notes that Morales continued firing at officers even as they attempted to negotiate his surrender.
At around 5:30 pm early that evening, Morales “shot and struck” a police vehicle known as a Rook “from a barricaded position in the” home.
The press release defines the Rook as “an armored critical incident vehicle to improve operational safety for SWAT personnel and community members.”
“The Rook enables tactical approaches, evacuation operations, and enhanced maneuverability within inner perimeters,” the press release continues. “It also provides an elevated armored platform for accessing second-story structures, removing obstacles, and addressing incidents involving barricaded or armed subjects.”
As the Rook was withdrawn to the front of the home, Morales escaped through a window in the home and fled into the backyard.
VIDEO: Heavy gunfire as suspect pins down cops, opens fire during eviction notice in Porterville, California.
A Tulare County Sheriff’s deputy has been shot and killed during the confrontation, and the suspect is currently barricaded with a high powered rifle, per the sheriff. pic.twitter.com/rM4zhXzr6b
— Noteworthy News (@newsnoteworthy) April 9, 2026
At around 6:00 pm, the police launched a vehicle known as a Bearcat into Morales’ yard to search for him. The press release defines a Bearcat as “an armored vehicle used during critical incidents to support tactical operations and provide safe transport, security, and rescue of department personnel and members of the public.”
That’s when Morales fired into the Bearcat through the front driver’s side window. The team operating the Bearcat subsequently used it “as a means of deadly force” to once and for all neutralize the threat, i.e., kill Morales.
“The suspect was lying prone on the ground, in camouflage clothing, continuing to pose a threat,” Sheriff Boudreaux said later at a press briefing regarding the running over of Morales. “The situation was resolved, and the suspect is now dead. He was not shot. One of the BearCats ran over him and killed him.”
“Don’t shoot at cops. You shoot at cops, we’re gonna run you over. He got run over. He got what he deserved,” the sheriff added.
Kern County Sheriff’s office release video of BearCat running over suspect in Porterville who shot and killed Tulare County Sheriff’s detective
God bless our law enforcement 💙🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/6TuZxHPc6g
— Truth USA (@_TruthUSA) May 20, 2026
According to the Los Angeles Times, Boudreaux stressed that the real story was about Deputy Randy Hoppert, the officer who was killed.
“This story is not about [Morales]; this story is about our officer,” he said. “We have a … baby who will never know his or her father.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom reportedly ordered flags at the state Capitol to be flown at half-staff in honor of Hoppert.
“Deputy Hoppert gave his life in service to his community,” the governor said in a statement. “Jennifer and I join his family, friends, and colleagues in mourning his profound loss. His selflessness, bravery, and commitment to protecting others stand as a lasting example of honor and duty.”
Hoppert is survived by his pregnant widow, Ashley. During Hoppert’s funeral service last month, she said that her deceased husband’s actions had helped save lives.
As for Morales, it turns out that, despite his wild behavior, he had no criminal history prior to his death, though he did have 19 firearms registered in his name. However, not included among those firearms was the high-powered rifle he used on April 9.
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V. Saxena is a staff writer with a decade of experience as a professional writer, and a lifetime of experience as an avid news junkie. He holds a degree in computer technology from Purdue University. Saxena also contributes to BizPac Review.
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