Hoover Bridge Renamed For Slain Veteran Mike Gilotti

HOOVER, AL — More than three years have passed since Iraq veteran Mike Gilatti was murdered in his home in Lake Cyrus. However, his memory will be forever preserved in the city limits of Hoover as the Alabama Highway 150 bridge has been renamed in his honor.

Gilotti was shot to death in January of 2016 just outside his home in the 5500 block of Park Side Circle. According to an Alabama Media Group report, he was heading to the gym for a morning workout when police say he encountered one or more suspects breaking into his car.

According to charging documents, Gilotti’s wife, Heather Gilotti, heard two gunshots and then heard a vehicle "with a large engine" pulling away from the scene. Gilotti collapsed on his doorstep. He was later pronounced dead on the scene.

According to prosecutors, the four teens accused of the crime were members of a Bessemer-area street gang called "M-Tre," which stood for "Money Making Mafia." Two of the teens were acquitted of Gilotti’s murder at trial, and the other two teen suspects were never tried.

Hoover City Councilman Casey Middlebrooks spearheaded the effort to get the signs approved and in place, though he said it was a team effort by city and state leaders. Gov. Kay Ivey in May signed the resolution allowing for the Alabama Highway 150 bridge to be named after Gilotti.