Death by Cop 2021-2025
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Matthew Austin Gullo
Age : 31
Gender : Male
Race : White
Date : 07/23/2024
Location : 1300 block of 18th St W
City : Williston
County : Williston
State : North Dakota
Agency : Williston Police Department
Officer(s) :Jason Barten; Alex Williams
Cause of Death : Gunshot
Event : Killed by police during mental health crisis
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On 07/23/2024, Williston Police Department officers responded to the 1300 block of 18th Street West after receiving a 911 call reporting a man armed with a knife who was threatening himself and others. Investigators later determined that the caller was 31-year-old Matthew Austin Gullo, who had reported his own actions while pretending to be an uninvolved witness.
Officer Jason Barten was the first officer to arrive and encountered Gullo holding a knife. According to investigators, Barten repeatedly ordered Gullo to drop the knife. Gullo instead advanced toward the officer while continuing to hold the knife. After additional warnings, Barten fired his service weapon, striking Gullo. Officer Alex Williams then deployed a less-lethal launcher in an attempt to dislodge the knife so officers could safely provide medical aid. Officers removed the knife, rendered emergency medical care, and Gullo was transported to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries.
The North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation conducted an independent investigation. To avoid any conflict of interest, the Williams County State's Attorney requested an outside review by Divide County State's Attorney Seymour R. Jordan. Following that review, Jordan concluded that Officer Jason Barten's use of deadly force was legally justified under North Dakota law, and no criminal charges were filed. Officer Barten was returned to full duty after the investigation concluded. In August 2025, Gullo's family filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the City of Williston and Officers Jason Barten and Alex Williams.
SOURCE LINKS :
https://www.kxnet.com/news/williston-man-dead-after-officer-involved-shooting/
