Family in shock after learning loved one was shot and killed by Tulare County Sheriff's deputy

TULARE COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- We are learning more about the man who was shot and killed by a Tulare County Sheriff's Deputy South of Tulare on Wednesday morning during a welfare check.

Action News spoke with 38-year-old Michael Pinon's long-time girlfriend of four years, Dominique.

She shares that he was a father who loved his children and his family.

"He loved his kids, he loved his family deeply, his mom, his siblings. He would go to the end of the earth for everybody he loved."

Through tears, Dominique continues to share, "He found a way to just always be happy no matter what, and no matter what room he is in he could light it up."

The family says it all feels unreal, and they are all in shock. Michael leaves behind several children.

"It's hard on all of us and I know that his kids are going to be affected by this for the rest of their lives and there is nothing that could ever feel that void," Dominique said.

The Tulare County Sheriff's Office says deputies responded to reports of a possible fight at a home on Matheny Avenue and Prine Drive, just south of Tulare.

When deputies arrived, officials say they were confronted by a man who refused to come out and later appeared from the back of the home.

According to deputies, Pinon pointed his cell phone at them, but they initially believed it was a weapon and fired shots.

"None of it makes sense. There's just like I said, there are so many questions on why the officers chose to make the decisions that they made," Dominique said.

Dominique shares that her parents are peace officers, and the family is having a hard time understanding how everything unfolded.

There have also been questions surrounding the impact of the deputy involved shooting that claimed the life of Deputy Randy Hoppert in Porterville on April 9.

"I understand that there is a life on both ends of the gun that that officer was holding, but again I feel like it goes back to your training, you are trained for this, and again, if you are not mentally prepared for your job daily, then you should not be in possession of a weapon at all," Dominique said.

At the time, the Tulare County Sheriff's Office had shared that 36 of their deputies were placed on leave, per protocol, and were evaluated. Since then, they have all returned to work.

Pinon had just celebrated his 38th birthday the day before, on May 19.

"His biggest thing was wanting to spend time with his kids on his birthday, and being with his family, his mom, just his siblings, like that's just what he wanted, and that's just who he is," expresses his girlfriend.

The family shared that they were looking forward to celebrating Pinon's birthday this weekend... Now they are left planning his funeral.

In the meantime, the Department of Justice has taken over the investigation.

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