Police officials said many recent shootings are gang related
photo by Brent McDonald, NewsChannel 9
Chattanooga Police are investigating another shooting that happened early Monday morning. It is the fourth, within the last 48 hours.
According to Chattanooga Police Chief Fred Fletcher, at least six shootings in the past week are from gangs and related incidents. He said between 12 and 15 people are responsible for the violence and rival gangs fighting each other.
In the first incident, a teen was hit early Sunday morning, when a drive-by shooter fired multiple shots at a house on Curtis Street.
At approximately 3:48 a.m., the Chattanooga Police Department responded to a local hospital for a person shot.
The victim, a 19-year-old black male, arrived in a personal vehicle with non-life threatening injuries.
He stated he was at a residence in the 2700 block of Curtis Street when a vehicle with unknown suspects drove by and fired multiple shots in his direction.
The victim was struck by the gunfire and driven to the hospital.
There is no available suspect information at this time.
The second incident involved a shooting at 1300 Cypress Street Court.
Dispatch received a call of a person shot at approximately 9:16 a.m.
Kevin Williams, 19, said he was walking with a friend at 1300 Cyprus Street Court in the College Hill Courts. He said an SUV occupied by three black male suspects approached and began shooting.
Mr. Williams sustained a non-life threatening gunshot wound and was transported by HCEMS to a local hospital. Police have no further suspect information at this time. No other victims were reported.
Officers are working to determine the facts surrounding the incident at this time.
The third shooting was when a man was shot Sunday afternoon on Central Drive.
At approximately 12:03 p.m., the Chattanooga Police Department responded to a local hospital for a person shot.
The victim, Justin Hawk, 29, said he was in the parking lot at 510 Central Drive when he became involved in a physical altercation with an unknown black male suspect.
Mr. Hawk said the suspect shot him, at which time he ran into the nearby woods to avoid further injury. He was later transported to a local hospital via a personal vehicle for non-life threatening injuries.
The fourth incident occurred early Monday morning.
At approximately 5:50 a.m., the Chattanooga Police Department responded to 1200 Poplar Street for a person shot.
It was reported that unknown suspects drove by that address and began shooting.
The victim, Blake Reid, 24, was struck by the gunfire and transported by HCEMS to a local hospital for non-life threatening injuries. There is no suspect information available at this time.
Chattanooga Police ask anyone with information regarding the shootings to call 423-698-2525.