A former sheriff's deputy in Sacramento was shot and killed by law enforcement officers after he fatally stabbed his 11-year-old son and triggered a dramatic high-speed pursuit along a major interstate, newly released footage has revealed.
A Deadly Domestic Assault
Marvin Morales, 40, was killed on December 2 following a brutal attack at the family home in Elk Grove. The sheriff's office confirmed they received a call from Elk Grove Police Department (EGPD) just after 8:30am that morning, reporting the stabbing of a child.
Lieutenant Amar Gandhi, a spokesman for the sheriff's office, stated that the EGPD identified the suspect as the boy's father, Morales. Reports indicate Morales was home with his son and his six-year-old daughter when their mother contacted authorities. She reported that security camera footage showed Morales assaulting the boy.
The Reckless Pursuit on Interstate 5
Morales fled the scene as officers responded, initiating a dangerous chase. By approximately 9:30am, an unmarked police vehicle travelling southbound on Interstate 5 had located Morales. He was later joined by two K-9 units in the pursuit.
"Morales drove recklessly - swerving around other civilian vehicles on the shoulder and reached speeds of over 100mph," Lieutenant Gandhi recounted. Dashcam footage showed the suspect weaving between cars and trucks on the busy highway.
In an attempt to stop the vehicle, officers deployed spike strips, which appeared to puncture one of Morales's tyres. Shortly after 9:45am, Morales lost control. His car veered off the freeway, became briefly airborne, and crashed into a tree on an embankment.
The Final Confrontation
Body camera footage from the scene shows the crashed vehicle with its door open. Officers, one armed with a rifle, issued repeated commands for Morales to exit and walk towards them with his hands up.
"Morales continued to ignore commands to surrender and then began reaching back into his vehicle, despite multiple commands to stop," Gandhi explained. An officer can be heard shouting, "Marvin walk towards us. Don't reach. Put it down."
Morales then pulled out an object that the attending K-9 deputies believed to be a rifle. Both deputies fired multiple rounds, striking Morales. He fell and became unresponsive. A police dog was deployed as Morales lay motionless before he was transported to hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Officials have not yet confirmed if the item was a rifle or whether Morales fired a weapon. No officers were injured during the incident.
A Troubled History
The investigation has since revealed Morales's troubled background. He had worked for the Sacramento Sheriff's Office since 2017 but was terminated in 2024 for misconduct. This followed an internal investigation after he overdosed on confiscated drugs while on duty in October 2023.
Investigators said Morales admitted to using drugs, which were later found to contain the powerful opioid fentanyl. In internal affairs reports, he had spoken of struggling with his mental health and had expressed suicidal thoughts.
The California Department of Justice is now investigating the officer-involved shooting, as required by state law.
