Critical Incident Video Release
May 20, 2026 – Kern County Sheriff’s Office officials report that on April 9, 2026, at approximately 1:00 p.m., Tulare County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) requested assistance from Kern County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) SWAT Team during a critical incident. TCSO deputies attempted to contact a suspect during an eviction in the 1700 block of W. Brian Avenue in Porterville, CA. During this initial contact, the suspect shot and killed a TCSO deputy.
At about 2:30 p.m., KCSO Office SWAT Team arrived with specialized equipment to assist during this active critical incident. KCSO began conducting evacuations with allied law enforcement agencies from the area. During this time, the suspect continued shooting from inside his residence. KCSO SWAT, in conjunction with other tactical teams, attempted to negotiate a peaceful surrender, while deploying specialized equipment to contain the suspect.
At about 5:30 p.m., the suspect shot and struck the KCSO Rook several times from a barricaded position in the residence. The KCSO SWAT operator maneuvering the Rook withdrew to the front of the residence. During this time, the suspect fled through a window into the backyard.
At about 6:00 p.m., KCSO SWAT Operators maneuvered the Bearcat into the yard to search for the suspect, at which time the suspect fired into the Bearcat’s front driver’s side window. The suspect was armed with a high-powered rifle and a handgun. KCSO SWAT used the Bearcat as a means of deadly force to stop the deadly threat posed by the suspect.
The KCSO Bearcat is an armored vehicle used during critical incidents to support tactical operations and provide safe transport, security, and rescue of department personnel and members of the public.
California Governor Gavin Newsom Honors Fallen Tulare County Sheriff’s Deputy Randy Hoppert
The KCSO Rook, acquired in 2022, is an armored critical‑incident vehicle to improve operational safety for SWAT personnel and community members. The Rook enables tactical approaches, evacuation operations, and enhanced maneuverability within inner perimeters. It also provides an elevated armored platform for accessing second‑story structures, removing obstacles, and addressing incidents involving barricaded or armed subjects. During this incident, the Rook was used to dismantle portions of the residence while protecting deputies attempting to take the armed suspect into custody.
The Visalia Police Department is the lead investigative agency for the TCSO-related shooting. KCSO detectives are coordinating with VPD to conduct a concurrent use of force investigation. Deputy Chad Clark was placed on routine critical incident pending the completion of the investigation.
PC 834a: If a person has knowledge, or by the exercise of reasonable care, should have knowledge, that they are being arrested by a peace officer, it is their duty to refrain from using force or any weapon to resist such arrest.
PC 835a states in part: A peace officer is justified in using deadly force upon another person only when the officer reasonable believes, based on the totality of the circumstances, that such force is necessary to defend against an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury. The decision to use force shall be evaluated from the perspective of a reasonable officer in the same situation, based on the totality of the circumstances known to or perceived by the officer at the time, rather than with the benefit of hindsight, and that the totality of the circumstances shall account for occasions when officers may be forced to make quick judgments about using force.
On May 12, 2026, the Kern County Sheriff’s Office convened an Incident Review Board examining the use of force by KCSO deputies in this incident.
The use of force in this incident was determined to be within policy.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to call the Kern County Sheriff’s Office at (661) 861-3110 or Kern Secret Witness at (661) 322-4040.
View video here.
Source: Kern County Sheriff’s Office