Video Shows Deadly Calif. Standoff Where Deputy Was Killed, Suspect Run Over by Armored Vehicle

Disturbing video footage was released this week of a deadly eviction notice standoff last month in which a California deputy was fatally shot and the accused gunman was run over and killed by a police armored vehicle.

Tulare County Sheriff's Deputy Randy Hoppert was shot and killed April 9 in an exchange of gunfire while helping serve an eviction notice in Porterville. The armed suspect, identified as David Eric Morales, allegedly began shooting when authorities arrived at his home, kicking off an hourslong standoff.

On Tuesday, the Kern County Sheriff's Office released information and video footage from the deadly incident.

Tulare County deputies had tried to contact Morales during an eviction notice at around 1 p.m., according to a Kern County Sheriff's Office news release. When deputies arrived, they were immediately met with gunfire, and Hoppert was struck and killed.

About an hour and a half later, the SWAT unit from the Kern County Sheriff's Office was called in to help with the incident. Deputies, as well as officers from other agencies, began evacuating the area as Morales continued firing from inside the home.

Once in place, authorities began negotiating with Morales to surrender. At the same time, the SWAT unit deployed specialized equipment, including a Rook armored vehicle, to contain Morales.

"At about 5:30 p.m., the suspect shot and struck the KCSO Rook several times from a barricaded position in the residence," the sheriff's office stated.

Morales used a high-powered rifle to shoot at the Rook, and rounds penetrated the vehicle's armor plating and compromised its ballistic glass. Photos released Tuesday shows the damage done to the Rook.

After the shots were fired, the Rook's driver withdrew the vehicle. At the same time, Morales fled through a window into the backyard.

Using a BearCat armored vehicle, the SWAT unit began searching for Morales, who hid in thick brush and aimed at the vehicle's driver's side window with his rifle. 

That's when the armored vehicle's driver "used the BearCat as a means of deadly force to stop the deadly threat posed by the suspect" and ran over Morales, according to the sheriff's office. The newly released footage showed perspectives from inside the BearCat and the Rook as Morales fired shots.

"We intentionally ran him over," Kern County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux said during a press conference at the time of the incident. "Don't shoot at cops. You shoot at cops, we're going to run you over. He got run over. He got what he deserved."

The Visalia Police Department is the leading an investigation into the incident.