California Deputy's Tragic Death: 5 Key Facts About Marvin Morales

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A former California sheriff's deputy, Marvin Morales, was fatally shot by police in Elk Grove on Tuesday following a car chase. Morales, 40, was suspected of stabbing his 11-year-old son, who later died in the hospital. The boy's mother had called the police after seeing security footage of the assault. Morales led the police on a high-speed chase along Interstate 5 before crashing near Lodi. The suspect was shot by officials, but it's unclear if he fired at law enforcement. Morales died in the hospital, and an empty gun safe was found at his house. Morales, a Sacramento County sheriff's deputy, had resigned from his job in February 2024 after being caught using illicit drugs. He had reportedly told investigators he struggled with mental health and had been experiencing trauma from his time on the job and in the Middle East. In October 2023, Morales had stopped a man at a gas station and obtained fentanyl-laced methamphetamine. He admitted to smoking the drugs, which led to an overdose. Other deputies found him in a bathroom and administered naloxone to reverse the situation. Morales had a history of using illicit substances, with internal affairs investigators finding he was a 'chronic user.' He had also isolated himself from his family and would often cry before coming to work. The shooting is under investigation, and officials are still piecing together the events leading up to Morales' death. The incident serves as a tragic reminder of the complexities of mental health and the challenges faced by law enforcement officers.