A former sheriff's deputy in California was shot and killed by law enforcement officers on Tuesday, 3rd December 2025, after he became the prime suspect in the fatal stabbing of his own 11-year-old son.
Domestic Tragedy Unfolds via Security Footage
According to authorities, the chain of events began around 8 a.m. when police in Elk Grove, located roughly 25 miles from Sacramento, received a distressing call. The mother of the children, viewing live home security footage, alerted officers after witnessing the father assaulting their young son. Upon arrival at the scene, responding officers discovered the boy with severe stab wounds. He was rushed to hospital but later succumbed to his injuries. His six-year-old sister was found physically unharmed.
Pursuit and Fatal Confrontation
The suspect, identified as 40-year-old Marvin Morales, a former Sacramento County sheriff's deputy, had already fled. He was spotted driving south on the Interstate 5 motorway, prompting a pursuit by officers. The chase was brought to an end near Lodi when the California Highway Patrol successfully deployed a spike strip, causing Morales's vehicle to crash. Following the collision, officers shot the suspect. He was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.
At a subsequent news conference, Sergeant Amar Gandhi, a public information officer for the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office, revealed that Sheriff Jim Cooper was among the first to spot the suspect's vehicle. Gandhi also confirmed a critical detail about Morales's past: he had been fired from the sheriff's office in February 2024 after being caught using illicit drugs.
Investigation and Aftermath
The shooting incident involved at least two sheriff's deputies and one Elk Grove police officer. None of the law enforcement personnel were injured. It remains unclear whether Morales fired at officers during the confrontation. Investigators noted that a gun safe at the suspect's home was found empty, raising further questions.
In line with standard department protocol following an officer-involved shooting, the two deputies involved have been placed on administrative leave pending a full investigation. The entire sequence of events, from the initial assault to the fatal police shooting, is now under official scrutiny by relevant authorities.
