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Elk Grove Citizen

Father Suspected of Stabbing Son Killed in Police Shooting

Dec 03, 2025 01:01PM ● By Elk Grove Police Department News Release

Logo courtesy of Elk Grove Police Department

ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - Just after 8 a.m. on Dec. 2, the Elk Grove Police Department Communications Center received a call from a mother concerned about the safety of her two children who were home with their father. 

The mother was at work when she saw her son laying on the ground unresponsive, on home surveillance video. 

Officers responded to the 7600 block of Ferrell Way and found an 11-year-old boy with multiple stab wounds. Officers immediately began life-saving measures on the boy until he was transported by fire personnel to a local hospital.

The father and suspect, 40-year-old Marvin Morales, a former deputy with the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, left the scene before officers arrived.

Sadly, the 11-year-old boy passed away at the hospital.

The 6-year-old girl was home at the time of the incident, was later evaluated at the hospital and released to her mother.

Outside agencies were notified of the suspect’s vehicle description and located the suspect driving on southbound Interstate 5 near Pocket Road. Morales led officers on a pursuit that ended near Interstate 5 and Highway 12 with an officer-involved shooting. aft

One Elk Grove Police Department detective was among the law enforcement officers involved in the shooting.

The suspect was shot and taken to a local hospital where he died.

The name of the 11-year-old victim has not been released, and identification will be made by the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office.  

The Elk Grove Police Department Investigations Bureau is leading the Ferrell Way homicide investigation. The California Highway Patrol is investigating the pursuit and officer-involved shooting. Per Elk Grove Police Department policy and standard procedure, the detective involved has been placed on paid administrative leave.