Ernest Christopher Nathan Obituary, Death: Pine Hill, Alabama Murder Suspect Killed During U.S. Marshals Operation

Ernest Christopher Nathan, 47, died during an officer-involved shooting in Pine Hill, Alabama, after U.S. Marshals Service task force officers attempted to serve an arrest warrant.

According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, officers assigned to the U.S. Marshals Service Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force went to the 100 block of Ruby Drive in Pine Hill at approximately 6 a.m. on September 22, 2026. Nathan was wanted on a murder charge.

Authorities said a task force officer was struck by gunfire when officers arrived. Other task force officers returned fire, fatally wounding Nathan. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The wounded officer was transported to a local hospital for treatment. Officials said the officer is expected to make a full recovery. The officer’s identity and specific injuries have not been publicly released.

Nathan had previously been wanted in connection with a 2022 murder case in Houston, Texas. The Texas Department of Public Safety listed him as a Texas 10 Most Wanted fugitive and identified him as wanted for murder.

The Houston Police Department previously announced in 2022 that Nathan had been charged with murder following a fatal shooting outside a food truck. Police said the victim later died from his injuries.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s State Bureau of Investigation is investigating the Pine Hill officer-involved shooting at the request of the U.S. Marshals Service. Once the investigation is completed, its findings will be submitted to the Marengo County District Attorney’s Office.

Further details about the investigation are expected as authorities continue reviewing the circumstances surrounding the shooting.