An ex-deputy sheriff in Sacramento County was shot and killed by law enforcement officers after authorities say he murdered his 11-year-old son.
Marvin Morales, 40, died at the beginning of December, after being shot by deputies following a car pursuit that reached speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour on a local highway.
Sheriff’s Office spokesman Lt. Amar Gandhi said deputies were first alerted shortly after 8:30 a.m. when the Elk Grove Police Department reported it was investigating the stabbing of an 11-year-old child at a local residence.
The Elk Grove Police Department identified the suspect in the stabbing as the child’s father, Gandhi said.
Authorities said Morales had been at home with his 11-year-old son and his six-year-old daughter when the children’s mother contacted law enforcement.
According to reports, the mother told police that home security footage showed Morales assaulting their son, who was on the ground unresponsive after the attack.
The child was later pronounced dead. Officials did not release additional details about the child’s injuries beyond confirming he had been stabbed. The younger sibling was not injured.
Morales fled the residence before officers arrived, prompting a regional search.
“The Elk Grove Police Department updated information to local surrounding agencies that the gun safe in his home appeared to have been emptied, and several firearms registered to Morales were missing from the home,” Gandhi said.
At approximately 9:30 a.m., an unmarked law enforcement vehicle traveling southbound on Interstate 5 spotted Morales’ vehicle, according to Gandhi.
Two K-9 units joined the pursuit as Morales continued driving south.
Gandhi said Morales drove recklessly, swerving around civilian vehicles on the shoulder and reaching speeds of more than 100 miles per hour.
Dash camera footage released by authorities shows Morales weaving between cars and large trucks while traveling at high speed.
During the pursuit, an officer deployed spike strips, which blew out one of Morales’ tires.
Morales lost control of his vehicle, veered off the freeway, and crashed into a tree on an embankment.
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Investigators said the vehicle became airborne before striking the tree and flipping over.
An officer involved in the pursuit parked nearby and retrieved a rifle from the patrol vehicle as deputies approached the crashed car.
Deputies and officers issued multiple commands for Morales to exit the vehicle and walk toward them, Gandhi said.
“Walk to us now, Marvin!” one deputy shouted. “Walk to us. Don’t reach! Don’t reach, put it down.”
“Marvin, don’t do it,” a second yelled. “Don’t reach, man.”
Morales ignored the commands and began reaching back into the vehicle despite repeated orders to stop.
Authorities said Morales pulled out a what they thought was a firearm and two K-9 deputies fired multiple rounds, striking Morales.
A K-9 was deployed as deputies secured the scene. Morales was transported to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, according to the sheriff’s office.
Officials have not confirmed whether the object Morales was holding was a firearm or whether he discharged a weapon.
The sheriff’s office said Morales began working as a deputy in 2017 and was terminated in 2024 for misconduct.
According to investigators, Morales had been under internal investigation after overdosing on confiscated drugs while on duty in October 2023. He later admitted to using drugs that were found to contain fentanyl.
“With Morales’s background in law enforcement, having been trained and proficient in law enforcement tactics and communications, along with his military service and familiarization, expertise and access to weapons, law enforcement remained cognizant of the heightened level of potential danger if and when he was confronted,” Gandhi commented.
In a separate case involving a former law enforcement officer, a Florida ex-deputy pleaded guilty to manslaughter after fatally shooting his roommate during what investigators described as reckless handling of a loaded firearm.
Andrew Lawson, 25, admitted in court that he shot and killed his former friend and roommate, Austin Walsh, on December 3, 2022, inside their Palm Bay residence.
During a plea hearing on January 15, Lawson apologized to Walsh’s family and became emotional while addressing the court.
Lawson said he and Walsh were playing a video game together when he picked up a firearm and jokingly pointed it at Walsh. He told investigators he believed the gun was not loaded.
Investigators said Lawson allegedly told Walsh, “Get back in the game, or I’ll shoot you,” before pulling the trigger.
Lawson said he pulled the trigger once and the weapon did not fire. When he pulled the trigger a second time, the firearm discharged a round that struck Walsh in the head.
First responders said Walsh died at the scene from the gunshot wound. Lawson was described as distraught when emergency personnel arrived.
Lawson was arrested in January 2023 and charged with manslaughter with a firearm. He was booked into the Brevard County Jail.
Both Lawson and Walsh had served as deputies with the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office. Walsh had worked for the department for five years and began his career at age 18.
Authorities said Lawson could face up to seven years in prison or be sentenced to probation at his upcoming sentencing hearing.
