David Morales Kills Tulare County Detective Serving Eviction Notice in Porterville

Detective Hoppert was shot and killed while serving an eviction notice.

Morales laid in wait and immediately shot at officers when they arrived.

ABC

Hoppert was part of the group who responded to assist after gunfire began.

He died approximately 60 to 80 minutes after the eviction process began.

Several SWAT teams were deployed and homes across four blocks were cleared.

Morales barricaded himself inside the home, leading to an eight-hour standoff.

He eventually exited wearing tactical equipment and camouflage.

CBS News

A Kern County SWAT team drove a BearCat into the yard where Morales was located.

Officers made the decision to run over the suspect, killing him.

Sheriff Boudreaux said, We intentionally ran him over.

Morales had no prior criminal record, not even a traffic ticket.

He had 18 firearms registered to his name, mostly handguns.

Porterville police responded to the house in January 2026, but it was not a criminal call.

This was the first line-of-duty death for the Tulare County Sheriff's Office since 2007.

Authorities cleared out four blocks of the neighborhood.

Nearby schools were placed on lockdown.

Fox News

Residents were urged to shelter in place.

The Catholic Diocese of Fresno put churches and a school on lockdown.

The deputy leaves behind a wife who is four months pregnant.