A former police officer from California, dismissed last year due to misconduct, is now accused of murdering his 11-year-old son on Tuesday.

Marvin Morales, an ex-deputy from Sacramento County, allegedly stabbed his son, Mar Aris Untalan Morales, multiple times at their Elk Grove residence. A 6-year-old girl present at the scene was unharmed. The boy’s mother, at work at the time, discovered her son’s condition after viewing home surveillance footage showing him unresponsive.

Following the tragic incident, Morales reportedly engaged in a high-speed pursuit with police after they attempted to stop him on Interstate 5. The chase concluded with his vehicle crashing in San Joaquin County, leading to an altercation with law enforcement that resulted in his fatal shooting, as reported by the Sacramento Bee.

Marvin Morales had resigned from his position with the Sacramento County police in February 2024, about a month after internal affairs had recommended his dismissal.

Previously, in October 2023, Morales had stopped an individual at a Shell gas station, confiscating substances that later tested positive for fentanyl. The individual claimed to be smoking methamphetamine. Morales reportedly informed investigators that he was familiar with the man and knew him to be 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.

[Feature Photo: Sacramento County police]