A former California police officer allegedly killed his 11-year-old son on Tuesday before being fatally shot by cops.
Ex-Sacramento County deputy Marvin Morales reportedly stabbed his son, Mar Aris Untalan Morales, multiple times at an Elk Grove home where a 6-year-old girl was found unharmed. The boy’s mother was at work when she spotted her son unresponsive on home surveillance video.
Marvin Morales allegedly led police on a high-speed chase after they tried to pull him over on Interstate 5. He eventually crashed his vehicle in San Joaquin County — sparking a confrontation with police that ended with his shooting death, the Sacramento Bee reported.
According to the news outlet, Marvin Morales resigned from Sacramento County police in February 2024 — about a month after an internal affairs investigators recommended his firing.
Months earlier, in October 2023, Marvin Morales stopped a man at a Shell gas station and confiscated drugs which later tested positive for fentanyl. The man claimed he was smoking methamphetamine.
The then-deputy allegedly told investigators that he had prior contact with the man, and knew he was a drug user.
According to the Sacramento Bee, Marvin Morales said he suspected the drugs were mixed with fentanyl. He allegedly confessed to using the confiscated drugs at the police’s Central Division station. Deputies who found him overdosing administered naloxone.
Marvin Morales survived and was hospitalized following the October 2023 incident. He reportedly told investigators that he intended to use the drugs to fatally overdose.
He also revealed that he had smoked methamphetamine three or four times before the incident — claiming that it provided a “hit of energy” as he held off completing investigation reports.
However, internal investigators said a drug test suggested Marvin Morales was a lifelong and chronic drug user.
Elk Grove police declined to say what was found in Marvin Morales’ car following Tuesday’s murder and shooting. Though, they mentioned that the gun safe at his home was empty, according to KCRA.
Tuesday’s incident remains under investigation.
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[Feature Photo: Sacramento County police]