Bodycam Shows Police Fatally Shoot Former California Deputy After Son’s Killing and Interstate Chase [WATCH]

Newly released body-camera footage from the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office shows the fatal shooting of a former deputy sheriff who authorities say stabbed his 11-year-old son to death before leading police on a high-speed chase across Interstate-5.

The footage, released Friday, documents the final moments of Marvin Morales, 40, a former Sacramento County deputy who was fired earlier this year.

According to the sheriff’s office, Morales was killed by law enforcement on Dec. 2 following a chase that began after police were alerted to the fatal stabbing of a child inside a home in Elk Grove, California.

Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Lt. Amar Gandhi said Morales joined the department in 2017 and remained employed until February 2024, when he was terminated for misconduct.

His dismissal followed an internal investigation tied to an incident in October 2023, when Morales allegedly overdosed on fentanyl inside the police station after taking the drugs from someone he had stopped for questioning.

The Sacramento Bee previously reported that Morales told investigators he was struggling with mental health issues and wanted to commit suicide. He was subsequently fired after the department completed its internal probe.

Authorities said Morales’ situation deteriorated further last month. Elk Grove police responded to a 911 call reporting that a boy had been stabbed multiple times inside a residence.

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Investigators determined Morales was the suspected attacker. An 11-year-old boy was found dead inside the home, while a 6-year-old child was also located inside but was not injured.

“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.

“Deputies had since learned that Morales’ 11-year-old child had died.”

Following the discovery, law enforcement agencies across the region were alerted to be on the lookout for Morales.

At approximately 9:30 a.m., officers spotted his vehicle traveling on Interstate-5.

The sighting triggered a pursuit involving multiple law enforcement agencies.

Authorities said Morales attempted to flee at high speed, weaving through traffic as officers followed.

The chase continued until Morales lost control of his vehicle. According to investigators, the car went airborne before crashing and coming to rest near a tree along the roadway.

Body-camera footage shows deputies and officers approaching the crashed vehicle and repeatedly ordering Morales to get out and walk toward them.

“Deputies and officers gave multiple commands for Morales to exit the vehicle and walk back to them,” Gandhi said.

In the video, Morales appears to be holding an object as he exits the vehicle but drops it onto the ground. Officers can be heard issuing urgent commands.

“Walk to us now, Marvin!” one deputy yells.

“Walk to us. Don’t reach! Don’t reach, put it down.”

A second deputy can be heard shouting, “Marvin, don’t do it,” as police dogs bark nearby.

“Don’t reach, man.”

Despite the commands, Morales is seen reaching back inside the vehicle. Moments later, multiple gunshots ring out.

The footage shows Morales collapsing next to his car after officers open fire.

Gandhi said Morales, who was also a military veteran, was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Investigators have not disclosed what may have motivated Morales to kill his son.

Authorities said the case remains under investigation and has been turned over to the California Department of Justice for review, as is standard in officer-involved shootings.

Law enforcement officials have not released additional details about the events leading up to the stabbing or whether Morales left any statements prior to the incident.

The circumstances surrounding the fatal encounter and the actions of responding officers are being reviewed as part of the ongoing investigation.

The release of the body-camera footage comes as authorities continue to examine the sequence of events that led to the deadly confrontation, including Morales’ actions during the chase and the moments immediately before officers fired their weapons.