The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting that occurred late Monday night in a residential area of unincorporated Marietta.
The incident happened at approximately 10:40 p.m. on February 16, 2026, after officers with the Cobb County Police Department responded to reports of possible gunfire near a residence on Bradley Avenue, near Windy Hill Road.
Police Response and Shooting
According to information released by law enforcement, officers established a perimeter around the home while investigating the report. A man later identified as Hermelindo Morete-Dista, 27, exited the residence armed with a handgun.
Authorities state officers issued multiple commands for Morete-Dista to drop the weapon. Police say he failed to comply and began pointing the firearm toward officers. At that point, several officers fired their weapons, striking Morete-Dista.
He was pronounced dead at the scene. No officers were injured.
Victim Information
Law-enforcement officials have identified the victim as a Guatemalan national who had an active U.S. deportation order at the time of the shooting.
Beyond that, authorities have not released additional background information, including:
- Length of time living in Cobb County
- Family ties or next of kin
- Employment history
- Prior criminal record beyond immigration status
Officials have also not publicly confirmed whether the original report of gunfire was directly linked to the victim.
Location
The shooting occurred in a residential neighborhood that is not typically classified as a high-crime area in publicly available crime data, according to prior reporting. Police have emphasized that the investigation was initiated based on a report of possible gunfire.
Officer Information
The names of the officers involved have not been released, consistent with standard procedure during an active GBI investigation. Authorities have not disclosed whether any of the officers involved have previously discharged their weapons in the line of duty.
Investigation Status
The GBI is conducting an independent investigation, standard practice in Georgia for officer-involved shootings. Once completed, the findings will be turned over to the Cobb County District Attorney’s Office for review.
No determination has been made regarding whether the shooting was legally justified.
Statements
Law-enforcement agencies have limited public comment to confirming the sequence of events and the ongoing investigation. As of publication, no formal public statement from the victim’s family has been released through official channels.
Timeline: Bradley Avenue Officer-Involved Shooting
- ~10:40 p.m. — Cobb County police respond to reports of possible gunfire near a residence on Bradley Avenue.
- Shortly after — Officers establish a perimeter around the home.
- Moments later — Hermelindo Morete-Dista exits the residence holding a handgun.
- Police commands issued — Officers order the man multiple times to drop the weapon.
- Escalation — Police say the man refuses and begins pointing the firearm toward officers.
- Shots fired — Several officers discharge their weapons.
- Scene secured — Morete-Dista is pronounced dead at the scene; no officers injured.
- GBI notified — Georgia Bureau of Investigation assumes control of the investigation.
