February 25, 2026 – Tulare County Sheriff’s Office officials report that on February 23, 2026, members of the HEART (Homeless Enforcement Assistance Response) Team were conducting routine patrol checks on the Northeast side of the Tule River near the Plano Bridge in Porterville when they noticed a man trespassing in the area that is considered private property. When Deputies tried to contact the man trespassing, he ran off.

Deputies regularly patrol that area to provide assistance and resources to homeless individuals in the area, and to make sure they are not trespassing.

Just after 11:00 a.m. on February 24, 2026, members of HEART returned to that same area to try and make contact with the trespassing suspect. When they tracked him down, the suspect ran off again and hid amongst trees, where Deputies believe, he’d been living. The Deputy attempted to make contact with him again, trying to get him to come out. But the suspect refused and began violently resisting. At that point, the Deputy grabbed his taser, which was ineffective on the suspect. The suspect then grabbed a two-three foot long stick, possibly the handle of a shovel, and swung it at the Deputy, striking him. During the second swing of the stick, the Deputy pulled out his gun and fired at the suspect. The suspect died on scene.

The Porterville Police Department will be handling the Officer Involved Investigation. And the Deputy will be placed on standard Administrative Leave pending the results of the investigation.

Source & photos: Tulare County Sheriff’s Office