A teen was shot and killed outside Coyote Jacks on the Southside early Sunday morning. The victim was identified as 19-year-old Brandon Rogers.
Police responded at 2:22 a.m. to the problem club at 1400 Cowart St. Police located the victim and began rendering aid until Hamilton County EMS arrived on the scene. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
Brandon Rogers had been arrested earlier for a shooting at Coyote Jacks that occurred on Feb.
24 at 3 a.m.
On March 5, Gang Unit Investigators initiated a traffic stop in the 3600 block of Chateau Lane. A firearm was recovered from Rogers in that stop. After reviewing evidence from both the initial incident and subsequent traffic stop, police said probable cause was established to obtain a warrant for felonious reckless endangerment against him. He was arrested on March 13.
Police said, "There is a rumor circulating on social media that Police shot the victim...this is FALSE. Police did not fire their weapons or shoot the victim."
At an afternoon press conference, Police Chief David Roddy showed video from a police body cam at the scene that he said was aimed at dispelling rumors that a city police officer fired the fatal shot.
Chief Roddy said members of the regulatory unit had gone to the club to check out conditions at an event. He said it was found there were too many people in the club and steps were being taken to shut down the event.
He said other officers were called in to help with the dispersal and in directing traffic.
Chief Roddy said two city officers were near the front door of the club when an altercation broke out and two shots were fired. One of those hit the victim.
He said the officers began rendering aid to the victim and trying to keep the crowd away from the victim in the chaotic scene.
Chief Roddy said, "Neither of the two officers had drawn their weapons when the two shots were fired." He said the officers afterward did draw their weapons as part of the crowd control in the shooting aftermath.
He said the officers "performed courageously and amazingly."
Chief Roddy said he was asking for members of the public with knowledge of the identity of the shooter to contact police.
Chattanooga Police ask anyone with information regarding this incident to call the Homicide Tip Line at 423-643-5100 or submit a tip via the CPD Mobile App. You can remain anonymous.
He said plans are underway to contact the city attorney and district attorney to try to get sanctions against the management of Coyote Jacks.
The area around Coyote Jacks has been the scene of several shootings, including a prior fatal one. Sharone Porter was killed outside the club in December 2017.
The Roddy press conference be seen at the Chattanooga Police Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ChattanoogaPoliceDepartment
To view the body cam videos, click here, here, here, and here.