Jeremy Reynolds, attorney Hillary Hodgkins and prosecutor Lance Pope
A Chattanooga man who served time for a prior murder had a new criminal homicide charge bound to the Grand Jury on Tuesday.
Jeremy Reynolds, 27, of 211 Mixon St., was arrested in the May 5 shooting death of 20-year-old Wendell Washington, who was gunned down on his front porch. Witnesses said a white SUV sped from the shooting scene, then it apparently headed straight for Erlanger Hospital. Two men were seen carrying Reynolds from the white van into the emergency room.
Police said Reynolds was shot in the gun battle with Washington at 3687 Northrop St.
The victim's girlfriend said she had just arrived home around 10:20 p.m. from the Waffle House. She said she was inside with his mother about 10 minutes later when Washington pulled up and she heard a shot, then a series of shots. She said Washington was yelling during the gunfight, but she could not make out what he was saying.
When she went outside she found him lying face down on the porch.
She said he always carried a gun after being robbed the prior December. It was testified that $11,000 was taken in that holdup.
The next-door neighbor, Amy Evans, said she "heard a pop, then two more pops, then rapid gunfire." She said she headed straight for where the shots were being fired. She said she spotted a white SUV with the headlights on. She said the shooter came across the street and got in the passenger side of the SUV, then it sped off.
An ex-Marine said he looked out the kitchen window and saw a white SUV run the stop sign near his home on Azalean Drive. "They didn't even slow down," he said.
The witness said the vehicle was a late-model Mitsubishi, probably an Endeavor. He said he could tell that from the emblem and the tail lights.
Sgt. Daniel Francis said police found drugs and a host of guns in the Washington residence. The weapons included several handguns, a shotgun and a rifle.
He said a 45 shell casing was found on a step to the porch, and 40 caliber shells were on the porch. The victim's mother moved a blood-stained 40 caliber handgun from next to his body to inside the house, it was stated.
A nurse at the hospital found a live 45 round in Reynolds' pocket.
General Sessions Court Judge David Bales set the bond for Reynolds at $550,000.
Lance Pope was the prosecutor and Hillary Hodgkins the defense attorney.