More Details Released On Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting Incident That Began In Northport

NORTHPORT, AL — The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) on Wednesday released additional details following a deadly officer-involved shooting incident that began in Northport and ended with the suspect being fatally shot in Greene County following a high-speed pursuit.

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State investigators said on Thursday, April 25, officers with the Eutaw Police Department and deputies with the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office assisted officers with the Northport Police Department with a vehicle pursuit.

As Patch previously reported, the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit said that Northport Police conducted a traffic stop at about 11:15 p.m. Thursday night in the 4000 block of McFarland Boulevard.

Shots were reported fired during the traffic stop and the vehicle fled the scene, prompting a high-speed pursuit of the vehicle.

Troopers said the pursuit began in Northport but the suspect — identified Wednesday as 19-year-old Gilmar Tista-Morente of Nashville — quickly fled into Greene County and was pursued by several different agencies.

ALEA went on to say the pursuit ended after the suspect’s vehicle struck another vehicle on U.S. Highway 11 near the 56 mile-marker at Exit 52 in Greene County.

"After the collision, the suspect exited the vehicle, brandished a firearm and was struck by gunfire from officers on scene," Corporal Reginal M. King said. "No officers were injured during the course of the incident."

Tista-Morente was transported to a local hospital for treatment where he later died from his injuries.

ALEA also said Tista-Morente was wanted by the Nashville Police Department on felony warrants for attempted criminal homicide and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

King explained that once the investigation is complete, the findings will be turned over to the Greene County District Attorney’s Office.

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