A 43-year-old Fresno County man wanted in the shooting death of his wife was killed Sunday in Tulare County after a car chase with sheriff’s deputies ended in an exchange of gunfire.

Michael Rocha, of Reedley, was pronounced dead at the scene Sunday near Road 222 and Avenue 340, just outside Woodlake. The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office said Rocha fired multiple rounds at deputies, who returned fire, striking and killing him.

Rocha was wanted on a warrant related to an incident on Saturday when he allegedly shot and killed his wife in front of their children and other family members.

The Tulare County events began Sunday morning when Rocha’s Chevy truck, which he had fled in a day earlier, was spotted in the Woodlake area. Deputies with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office tracked him down around 1 p.m., leading to a pursuit. During the chase, Rocha fired a rifle at deputies before stopping his vehicle.

The Visalia Police Department is now handling the investigation into Rocha’s death.

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This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: Reedley man killed in Tulare County shootout after wife’s murder
Reporting by Staff reports / Visalia Times-Delta
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