Location: 7000 block of Road 232 in Ducor

Incident Date: 5-2-22

City: Ducor

Posted by: Media Relations

Just after 5 a.m. on May 1, 2022, TCSO Deputies were called to the 7000 block of Road 232 in Ducor for a man armed with a knife, fighting with his 81-year-old uncle.  

When they arrived, Deputies found the 81-year-old victim with cuts on his face, trying to fend the suspect off with a chair. 

Deputies ordered the suspect to drop the knife several times and tried to de-escalate the situation. But the suspect refused to comply and continued charging toward the Deputies with the knife. A taser was deployed, but it did not stop the suspect and he continued toward the deputies, forcing them to shoot the suspect.  

Deputies immediately began rendering first aid to the suspect until medical personnel arrived. The suspect was taken by ambulance to an area hospital, where he later died from his injuries. He was identified as 41-year-old Lorenzo Molina from the Los Angeles area. The 81-year-old victim was also taken by ambulance to an area hospital, where he was treated for multiple injuries and released the same day.  

The Porterville Police Department is handling the investigation of this incident. As standard protocol, the two officers involved in the shooting were placed on Administrative Leave.