On a Sunday afternoon in Louisville, Kentucky, the life of 32-year-old Orestes Romaro Nieblas, a Cuban male, was tragically cut short. On April 22, 2018, near Bardstown Road and Bashford Manor Lane, an altercation broke out between Nieblas and another man, 37-year-old Miguel Escalona Vivas. The dispute escalated, and Vivas began chasing Nieblas, firing a gun at him multiple times.
The sound of gunshots and the sight of the chase caught the attention of witnesses in the area.
A West Buechel police officer, Keith Walz, who was on patrol nearby, was alerted to the unfolding violence. He located the two men and witnessed Vivas actively shooting at Nieblas. As Nieblas fell to the ground, wounded, Officer Walz began to pursue Vivas, who fled on foot heading northbound on Bardstown Road.
The foot chase continued behind a local business where an off-duty Hurstbourne Acres officer, Gary Phelps, noticed the situation and joined the pursuit. Both officers repeatedly ordered Vivas to drop his weapon, but he refused to comply. The confrontation reached a critical point when Vivas reportedly pointed his gun at the officers. In response, both officers discharged their firearms, striking Vivas.
Both Orestes Romaro Nieblas and Miguel Escalona Vivas were transported to University Hospital. Nieblas, who had been in critical condition from the multiple gunshot wounds inflicted by Vivas, succumbed to his injuries. Vivas was pronounced dead the following day from a gunshot wound to the torso. The LMPD Public Integrity Unit was tasked with investigating the officer-involved shooting.
