Ex–Deputy Marvin Morales Accused of Stabbing 11-Year-Old Son to Death, Killed in Officer-Involved Shooting After I-5 Chase

A former Sacramento County sheriff’s deputy suspected of fatally stabbing his 11-year-old son was shot and killed Tuesday after leading law enforcement on a freeway pursuit that ended near Lodi, according to authorities.

Mother Saw Attack on Home Camera, Called 911

Elk Grove police responded around 8 a.m. after the boy’s mother called 911 saying she witnessed the attack on home security footage and feared for the safety of her two children.

Officers arrived to find the 11-year-old boy suffering from stab wounds; he was rushed to a hospital and pronounced dead.
His 6-year-old sister was physically unharmed.

The suspect — identified as 40-year-old Marvin Morales — fled before officers arrived.

Morales Was a Fired Sheriff’s Deputy With Drug Misconduct History

Morales had served with the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office since 2017 but was fired in February 2024 after an internal investigation found he had overdosed on fentanyl while on duty in 2023 and had lied about using seized drugs, including methamphetamine residue.
He was subsequently decertified as a peace officer.

Ex–Deputy Marvin Morales Accused of Stabbing 11-Year-Old Son to Death, Killed in Officer-Involved Shooting After I-5 Chase

 

Sheriff’s Sgt. Amar Gandhi publicly confirmed Morales’ identity and disciplinary history following Tuesday’s events.

Pursuit Down Interstate 5 Ends in Deadly Shooting

Law enforcement spotted Morales driving south on Interstate 5, prompting a pursuit involving the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office and the California Highway Patrol.
CHP deployed a spike strip, causing Morales to crash near Highway 12 west of Lodi.

After the crash, at least two deputies and an Elk Grove officer opened fire, killing Morales. No officers were injured.

It remains unclear whether Morales fired at officers; investigators said a gun safe at his home was found empty.

Ex–Deputy Marvin Morales Accused of Stabbing 11-Year-Old Son to Death, Killed in Officer-Involved Shooting After I-5 Chase

School District and Police Offer Support as Investigation Continues

Elk Grove Unified School District is providing counseling and resources to affected students and families.
Multiple agencies are now reviewing both the child’s killing and the officer-involved shooting.

The investigation is ongoing.