Roddarius Martin Charged In Murder On Cowart Street; Witnesses Say Altercation Inside And Outside Coyote Jacks Saloon Led To Gunfire

  • Monday, December 18, 2017
Roddarius Martin
Roddarius Martin

Chattanooga Police have charged Roddarius L. Martin with criminal homicide in the slaying of 22-year-old Sharone Porter on Cowart Street early Sunday morning.

Martin, 24, is also charged with attempted first-degree murder in the shooting of Torrie Porter, 24.

Other charges include aggravated assault and felony reckless endangerment.

Martin is being held on bond of $1,100,000.

At 2:47 a.m., Chattanooga Police responded to a parking lot across from Coyote Jacks Saloon at 1400 Cowart St. on a person shot.

Responding officers rendered aid to two victims who were shot until Hamilton County EMS arrived and transported both men to a local hospital.

Police found two separate groupings of 9mm shell casings near the victims.

A witness said there was an altercation outside the saloon between Torrie Porter and a group that included Martin. The witness said Martin pulled a pistol and fired several shots in the air.

Martin, who was about 10 feet away, then fired several shots toward the Porters, it was stated.

Police were told that Torrie Porter and others with him tried to run away, but Sharone Porter tried to stop Martin.

A witness said Torrie Porter was shot in the leg, but he and the witness went back to check on Sharone Porter, who was on the ground.

Another witness said Torrie Porter was in an altercation with several black males both inside and outside the saloon. He said someone began shooting in the air, causing the crowd to disperse.

This witness said Martin and Sharone got into a physical altercation at close quarters. The witness said he heard two gunshots, then the shooter fled to possibly a light blue older sedan. Others with the shooter got into a small white compact sedan.

Video from the saloon showed an altercation both inside and outside the establishment.

At 1:56 a.m., a vehicle occupied by Martin was stopped. He was found with a Taurus 9mm pistol, but the gun was returned to Martin. Police said the gun matches the shell casings found at the scene.

Also on the Southside, on Wednesday around 7:42 p.m. police responded to a carjacking.
 
The victim was a delivery driver for a local restaurant. He was delivering an order to the 1400 block of Jefferson Street.
 
The victim parked his 2013 two-door black Dodge Challenger and a unknown suspect pointed a firearm at him and demanded his possessions. The suspect left with these items and the victim's vehicle.
 
Police located the vehicle at a later time, unoccupied.
 
Robbery detectives are still investigating the case and following all leads.
 
No injuries were reported
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