A 30-year-old Chattanooga man was shot in the foot when gunfire broke out after a party on E. 23rd Street early Sunday morning, and a 27-year-old pedestrian was struck and dragged in the same area.
At approximately 2:14 a.m., Chattanooga Police responded to a local hospital on reports of a person shot.
Upon arrival, investigators with the Chattanooga Police Department spoke with the victim, Ontario Price, who reported as everyone left a party at 2000 E. 23rd Street, a crowd of people began fighting. He said as he attempted to get away from the crowd when he heard multiple shots, he realized he had been struck by the gunfire.
He was not able to provide a description of the suspect. No suspect information is available at this time.
Simultaneously Saturday night, dispatch advised police of a pedestrian struck at the same location who had been dragged some ways down the road. An extensive search was conducted in this area to attempt to locate the victim, but neither a victim nor suspect was located. While checking the area police located a vehicle abandoned in the 1500 block of South Hawthorne. A preliminary investigation determined this was the vehicle involved in the pedestrian struck incident.
A little over two hours later, police were then contacted by a local hospital and advised that the victim, George A. Watkins, 27, was there. Due to injuries sustained, he was transported to Erlanger Hospital for additional treatment. He is in stable, but serious condition.
There is no driver information available at this time.
The Chattanooga Police Department is requesting the assistance of any individuals who attended the party at 2000 E. 23rd Street Saturday night. If they attended this party or have information concerning either incident, they should call 698-2525.