Chattanooga Police officer William McMillan was shot multiple times in the thigh, buttock and groin areas, a police report says.
On Wednesday morning, police arrested Celvin "Squeaky" Montez Houston for shooting the officer Tuesday night at 2219 E 26th Street Court. His bond is set at $1,250,000.
Houston was arrested at 8:39 a.m. at 419 Booth Road without incident and has been charged with attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assault, and unlawful possession of a firearm.
He had two additional warrants from a prior incident for attempted murder and aggravated robbery.
Houston has a lengthy criminal record, including a conviction last year in state court for being in possession of a handgun with felony convictions.
He got a two-year suspended sentence.
He got another two-year suspended sentence in 2004 when he was charged with unlawfully possessing a weapon.
The report says Officer McMillan was responding to a call from an anonymous caller saying there were 30 people hanging out in the East Lake Housing area and they wanted them checked out.
As the officer walked up to the group, one of them pulled out a gun and began shooting at the officer, the report says.
During the investigation, officers learned that "Squeaky" was the person who shot the officer. Investigators found his cellphone at the scene.
They identified "Squeaky" as Celvin Houston and began to look for his associates, Alisha Houston and Moniek Johnson. They were brought to police headquarters.
Both said they had spoken with Houston and he told them that he "messed up by shooting an officer."
Police said, "The search ended quickly due to the cooperation from the public, media, and the following law enforcement agencies: Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, Collegedale Police Department, East Ridge Police Department, Lookout Mountain Police Department, Chattanooga Housing Authority, Tennessee Bureau of Investigations, Federal Bureau of Investigations, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the U.S. Marshals Service. The assistance from three local pastors was also greatly appreciated. They are Pastor Ternae Jordan Sr., Pastor Kevin Adams and Pastor Tim Sykes."
Officer McMillan, a six-year veteran of the department, was shot on 4th Avenue near the East Lake Courts. He is in stable condition at Erlanger Hospital.
The incident happened at 6:11 p.m.
A large number of police officers converged on the scene.
Members of the SWAT Team were out in force as well as the K-9 unit combing nearby streets. A large area was blocked off with yellow crime scene tape.
Chattanooga Police had responded at 6 p.m. to the theft complaint.
Police said on Tuesday night, "Once on the scene, the responding officer encountered a male suspect near 2219 E 26th Street Court. The suspect was armed with a firearm, shot the officer, and fled the scene on foot.
"The officer was transported to a local hospital for treatment of the non-life-threatening injury. It is unclear at this point if the suspect was involved in the original theft complaint. Officers from multiple agencies are assisting in searching for the suspect."