Death by Cop 2026
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Michael Hristov
Age : 21
Gender : Male
Race : White
Date : 05/14/2026
Location : 700 block of West Whitney Avenue
City : Louisville
County : Jefferson
State : Kentucky
Agency : Louisville Metro Police Department
Officer(s) :Beau Gadegaard.
Cause of Death : Gunshot
Event : Killed by police during warrant service
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On 05/14/2026, officers with the Louisville Metro Police Department SWAT team went to the 700 block of West Whitney Avenue to serve warrants on a man wanted on charges including murder, assault, and abuse of a corpse. Police said the investigation involved the killing and dismemberment of an unhoused man identified in court documents as Michael Howard.
According to police, SWAT officers ordered the man to exit the house, but he instead opened fire from inside the residence. Police said the man later called MetroSafe and stated he wanted officers to shoot and kill him. Officers deployed chemical agents and continued attempting negotiations while the man allegedly continued firing from inside the house.
After about 20 minutes, police said the man exited the residence wearing a ballistic vest and helmet while carrying a weapon. Officers ordered him to drop the weapon. Police said he did not comply, and at least one officer opened fire, killing him. Officer Gadegaard who shot Hristov was previously involved in the shooting death of Darnell Wicker in 2016 and was disciplined for this shooting. He was also previously disciplined for throwing drinks at people.