Driver Killed by Police Last Week Was 19, Wanted in Nashville

The driver of a vehicle who fled from a traffic stop in Northport and was fatally shot by police in neighboring Greene County has been identified as a 19-year-old who was wanted in Nashville, Tennessee.

Corporal Reginal King, a spokesperson for the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, said their State Bureau of Investigation has been tasked with looking into the deadly officer-involved shooting.

As the Thread previously reported, the chase began with a traffic stop in Northport last Thursday, April 25th. The local Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit said during the traffic stop, shots were fired and the driver, now identified as Gilmar Tista-Morente, fled the scene.

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The 19-year-old eventually drove into Greene County on U.S. Highway 11, where he struck another vehicle and crashed.

Corporal King said Tista-Morente left his vehicle after the crash and brandished a firearm - he was then shot by police who were at the scene. King did not say who fired on Tista-Morente, but the pursuit included State Troopers, officers with the
Eutaw Police Department, deputies with the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and Northport Police officers.

King said Tista-Morente was transported to a local hospital for treatment where he later succumbed to his injuries.

According to ALEA, Tista-Morente was wanted by the Nashville Police Department for Attempted Criminal Homicide and Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon.

No other details were available this week, and King said the SBI's findings will be given to the Greene County District Attorney's Office, who could present them to a grand jury to determine if any criminal charges are warranted in the fatal shooting.

For updates as they are eventually released, stay connected to the Tuscaloosa Thread.