Chattanooga Police Chief Fred Fletcher Monday morning at the press conference regarding the officer who was shot Thursday
photo by Brent McDonald
Chattanooga Police Chief Fred Fletcher said Monday morning that the officer who was shot three times on Thursday is recovering well.
Chief Fletcher said the officer was wearing a bullet-proof vest and one bullet hit the vest, which protected him during the shooting. The officer was able to return fire, although Chief Fletcher would not comment on how many bullets were shot.
The officer is on paid administrative leave while he recovers. His name was not released to protect him and his family, said Chief Fletcher.
The shooter is still on the loose and a reward for information leading to his arrest is now at $11,500.
Chief Fletcher said the department "is following up on a number of actionable leads, has recovered a great deal of physical evidence, and they continue to receive a great number of tips from the community."
Chief Fletcher said the officer had not been dispatched to the house on Wheeler Avenue to investigate squatters, but went on his own to "keep the community safe". Chief Fletcher said he was being "proactive" to protect the community.
The officer was not wearing a body camera and the incident happened out of range of his patrol car dash camera. The police department does not have body cameras.
Chief Fletcher said to the suspect: "I doubt your friends like you more than they like the prospect of $11,500. We will continue to work with the community to hold you accountable for your violent and cowardly attack on one of our police officers." He urged the shooter to turn himself in and said, "We will find you."
If anyone has information regarding the shooter, please call 911 or 698-2525.
Chattanooga Police Chief Fred Fletcher Monday morning at the press conference regarding the officer who was shot Thursday
photo by Brent McDonald