Cobb County, GA (February 17, 2026) - At the request of the Cobb County Police Department (CCPD), GBI agents are investigating an officer involved shooting in Cobb County, GA. Hermelindo Morete-Dista, age 27, of Guatemala, was shot and killed in the incident. No officers were injured.

Preliminary information indicates on February 16, 2026, at about 10:40 p.m., CCPD officers responded to a report of possible gunshots being fired near a home located at 30 Bradley Avenue in Marietta. Officers arrived on scene and set up a perimeter around the front of the home. Morete-Dista exited his home with a firearm in hand. Officers gave Morete-Dista verbal commands to drop the firearm. Morete-Dista continued to hold the firearm and began pointing it toward officers. Several CCPD officers then shot at Morete-Dista, hitting him multiple times. Morete-Dista was pronounced dead on scene.

Morete-Dista had an active removal order from the United States.

Once the investigation is complete, the case will be given to the Cobb County District Attorney’s Office for review.

Contact

Public & Governmental Affairs Director Sara Lue

[email protected]

Related Files

  • Cobb PD OIS (IMG, 707.62 KB)
    The photo shows a residential house at night surrounded by police activity. A county police SUV with flashing red and blue lights is parked in the foreground, and yellow crime scene tape blocks off the yard and driveway. Several vehicles are parked near the house, and bright spotlights illuminate the front of the home and nearby trees. Evidence markers are visible on the street. A Georgia State Bureau of Investigation badge appears in the bottom corner of the image.