Christopher S. Walton
A 20-year-old man was shot and killed at Citico Avenue and N. Willow Street on Tuesday night.
The victim was identified as Frederick Jordan Clark.
Shots were also fired at a young man who was with him, but Tavoris McKeldin was able to run away and was not injured.
However, a bullet hit a man in a nearby residence.
Police have charged Christopher Walton, 20, with first-degree murder, reckless endangerment and two counts of aggravated assault.
Police said the shooter and the victim were in rival gangs.
The Chattanooga Police Department responded to 800 North Willow St. on a reported shooting. Upon arrival, officers located Frederick Jordan Clark suffering from multiple gunshot wounds lying on the west side of Willow Street. He was pronounced dead on the scene.
Officers located the second individual, Tavoris McKeldin, who was not injured. He reported that he and Clark were walking on Willow Street when a white vehicle approached from Citico Avenue and opened fire on them.
McKeldin stated that he was able to escape on foot running towards Robbins Street where he climbed over a chain link fence.
Officers located an additional victim, Vernandus Adair, who was sitting inside his residence when a bullet came into his house striking his leg. His injury was minor and he was treated on the scene by EMS.
Multiple witnesses identified the suspect vehicle. Shortly after the homicide an anonymous community member called 911 and reported the same white PT Cruiser driving recklessly near the area of the homicide. The reporting individual advised that the vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed and going in and out of traffic heading toward the Brainerd area.
This information, along with supporting investigatory leads, led police to the driver, Christopher Walton. He was located by Chattanooga Police and later interviewed by CPD Investigators.
Walton was subsequently transported to the Hamilton County Jail.
Police said the PT Cruiser was registered to Teshayla Yearby, girlfriend of Walton. Witnesses said they saw Walton driving the vehicle after the shooting.
Police said when Walton was located, he smelled like bleach. Asked if he had washed his hands with bleach, he said he had done laundry.
Walton denied driving the PT Cruiser. Police said he "was unable to explain why numerous parties would report him driving the vehicle that had been used in a drive by shooting."
Police said the victim was a validated member of the Rollin 40 Crips, and Walton is a validated Rollin 20 Blood.
The bond on the murder charge was set at $1 million. Other bonds add up to $350,000.
He is due to appear before General Sessions Court Judge David Bales on Tuesday at 8:30 a.m.
Walton had been arrested in June on charges of possession of a controlled substance, drugs for resale, possessing a firearm, possession of a prohibited weapon and possession of drug paraphernalia.