Update: Tulare deputy killed in line of duty identified; suspect dead at scene
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Deputy shot and killed in Porterville while serving an eviction notice.
- Sheriff identifies 60-year-old David Morales as the suspected shooter.
- Authorities ordered shelter-in-place and placed local schools on lockdown.
A Tulare County Sheriff’s Office deputy was shot and killed Thursday morning in Porterville by a suspect who “opened fire” on deputies as they served an eviction notice at a home.
The suspect — identified as David Morales, 59 — remained outstanding for at least six hours before he was killed at the scene in the area of Newcomb and Grant avenues, Sheriff Mike Boudreaux said in an update around 5:45 p.m.
Morales had evaded authorities throughout the afternoon by moving among three houses in the area and using camouflage attire while he continued to shoot at deputies, Boudreaux said. Authorities were using a Bearcat to clear the property and one of the utility vehicles ran over Morales and killed him, Boudreaux said.
The deputy killed in the line of duty was identified as Randy Hoppert, a 35-year-old detective who had been with the department for six years.
Hoppert responded to the scene after other deputies called for assistance and reported shots fired around 10:20 a.m.
Hoppert was shot by Morales with a high-powered rifle, Boudreaux said.
The deputy was initially going to be flown to Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno, “but his condition was too volatile.”
He instead was taken to nearby Sierra View District Hospital in Porterville, where he was pronounced dead.
The body of the slain deputy was escorted in a procession from Porterville to the Tulare County Coroner’s Office in Tulare on Thursday afternoon.
Hoppert was the grandson of former Tulare County Undersheriff Doyle Hoppert. His wife is pregnant, Boudreaux said.
“Sheriff Boudreaux has met with the fallen Deputy’s family and offered his deepest condolences,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.
“All of us at the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office are shocked and incredibly saddened by today’s tragic events. We ask that you keep our Deputy’s grieving family in your prayers.”
In Porterville, a shelter-in-place order was issued while Morales was outstanding and Monache High, Oak Grove Elementary, Sequoia Middle School and Summit Charter Academy were placed on lockdown. Boudreaux said students were safe.
Boudreaux said law enforcement did not fire a single shot during the ordeal.
This story was originally published April 9, 2026 at 1:49 PM.
