Location: 15800 block of Avenue 327 in Ivanhoe

Incident Date: 02/09/2016

Incident Time: 2331 hours

Case Number: 16-01748

Victim: Confidential

City: Ivanhoe

Posted by: Media Relations

****************UPDATE***************
Suspect: Ronald Pierson, 55, of Ivanhoe, deceased
Victim: Marilyn Marie Hayes, 63, of Ivanhoe

The suspect died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Through the ongoing investigation, detectives have learned that the suspect and the victim were married and they had been experiencing ongoing marital issues during the last few months.

The victim was shot in the head. She underwent surgery this morning at a Fresno hospital. She was first taken to Kaweah Delta Medical Center where her condition was evaluated and then she was transferred by ground ambulance to Fresno.

The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the allied law enforcement agencies who responded to the scene including the Woodlake, Farmersville, Exeter, and Visalia police departments as well as the California Highway Patrol. 

Original press release:

A call came into the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office at 2331 hours on Feb. 9, 2016 regarding a possible female adult gunshot victim on the 15800 block of Avenue 327 in Ivanhoe. Woodlake police were the first on the scene and discovered the victim.

While attempting to assist the victim, officers heard a nearby gunshot. She was able to be removed from the scene and taken by ambulance to a local hospital. She is in critical condition.

Numerous attempts were made to contact the suspect but he didn’t respond.

With the assistance of allied law enforcement agencies, a containment perimeter was set up a quarter mile in each direction.

Tulare County Sheriff’s SWAT responded and determined the suspect was deceased by an apparent gunshot at about 0300 hours. No shots were fired by law enforcement.

Tulare County Sheriff’s Violent Crimes Unit was on scene and is investigating this case.