A Tuesday morning pursuit across multiple Northern California counties ended in tragedy after a suspect wanted in the fatal stabbing of his 11-year-old son was shot by law enforcement and later died at a hospital, authorities confirmed.
Child Found Stabbed in Elk Grove Home
The incident began around 8 a.m., when the Elk Grove Police Department received a call from a woman concerned for the safety of her two children who were at home with their father. Officers rushed to the residence on the 7600 block of Ferrell Way, near Whitelock Parkway and Bruceville Road.
Inside the home, officers discovered an 11-year-old boy suffering from stab wounds. He was transported to a hospital but later died from his injuries. A second child, a 6-year-old, was found unharmed. The children’s father, 40-year-old Marvin Morales, had already fled the scene.
Police later confirmed that Morales is a former Sacramento County sheriff’s deputy who had previously come under scrutiny for lying about a 2023 fentanyl overdose during an internal investigation.
Pursuit Along Interstate 5
Law enforcement quickly located Morales driving on Interstate 5 near Pocket Road. A pursuit ensued, traveling southbound into San Joaquin County.
The chase came to an end on I-5 south of Highway 12, where multiple agencies—including the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, Elk Grove Police Department, and the California Highway Patrol—converged on the vehicle.
Officer-Involved Shooting
According to the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, at least one of its deputies opened fire during the confrontation. Elk Grove police confirmed that one of their officers was also involved. The sheriff’s office stated the “suspect is down,” and Morales was taken to a hospital for treatment.
Sgt. Amar Gandhi, a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office, later confirmed that Morales died at the hospital from his injuries. No officers or deputies were seriously hurt during the encounter.
Freeway Closure and Ongoing Investigation
The shooting prompted a major law enforcement response and forced the closure of a significant stretch of Interstate 5. Caltrans reported that southbound I-5 was shut down at the Highway 12 junction in San Joaquin County due to the ongoing investigation.
CHP officers assisted with traffic control while Elk Grove police took the lead on the investigative phase of the incident. The shooting and surrounding circumstances will be reviewed per standard protocol in officer-involved incidents.
A Developing Story
Authorities have not released additional details about the motive behind the stabbing or the events leading up to the pursuit. More information is expected as investigators continue to process the scene and gather evidence.
This is a developing story and will be updated as new information becomes available.
