Chattanooga-Hamilton County Branch President Valoria Armstrong said Friday she has requested detailed information be released to "provide what the community demands" in regards to the fatal shooting of a teen at East Lake Courts by an officer of the Chattanooga Housing Authority.
Saying she had received dozens of inquiries from the community regarding the shooting of Alonzo O'Kelley Jr. on July 1, she said the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Branch of the NAACP "in an attempt to provide accurate information surrounding the shooting is requesting the Chattanooga Police Department and the Chattanooga Housing Authority to immediately release the following information. This information is vital in our search for the truth regarding the incident."
1. All dispatch records as it pertains to the shooting
2. All reports written or tape recorded as it pertains to the shooting
3. Coroner's reports as it pertains to the deceased
4. All reports as it relates to any tests conducted on the weapon allegedly possessed by Mr. O'Kelley
5. Department policy as it relates to "routine" traffic stops
6. A copy of prior complaints, written reprimands, and the personnel file of Officer Reeves and all Chattanooga Housing Department Officers
7. Statements of any witnesses to the incident that were taped or written
8. Any and all other information not specifically requested as it pertains to the shooting.
Ms. Armstrong said, "While this is not an indictment of the Chattanooga Housing Authority Police Department as a whole, it is a necessary request to provide what the community demands and that is answers that contain accurate information.
"We also believe that it is in the best interest of this community to call for an independent investigation to ensure the integrity of the investigation.
"We hope to improve the relationship between our community and law enforcement officers - which is the best way to create the trust needed for police to effectively solve crimes."
The CHA said O'Kelley had been involved in a shooting with occupants of a Dodge Durango on 4th Avenue just before CHA Lt. Erik Reeves rushed into the courtyard area of East Lake Courts and confronted him and another youth.
CHA said the other youth hit the ground as instructed, but O'Kelley started to run and partially turned toward the officer while aiming his gun at him. CHA said the officer then fired a single shot.
The medical examiner's report said O'Kelley was shot once in the back (in the left shoulder).