Suspect In Bayberry Apartments Murder Taken Into Custody In Dramatic Fashion In Courtroom; Police Give Details Of Shooting

  • Thursday, December 12, 2019
Mark Caslin
Mark Caslin
A man who was called a suspect in murders on Sunday night at the Bayberry Apartments was taken into custody in dramatic fashion in a courtroom at the Courts Building on Thursday morning.
 
Later in the morning, Chattanooga Police said Mark Caslin, 26, has been charged in the slayings.
 
Police said, "During the preliminary investigation, Chattanooga Police Department officers gathered information and evidence that helped identify the suspect.
Based on the information received and a thorough investigation by CPD Homicide Unit Detectives, Caslin was identified as a suspect in the two homicides and non-fatal shooting that occurred on Sunday at 2300 Wilson Street.
 
Caslin is charged with two counts of criminal homicide and one count of attempted homicide.
 
Observers said General Sessions Court Judge Gerald Webb got a tip that the Bayberry shooter was in his courtroom on another case. The judge stepped out of the courtroom and alerted officers in the court.
 
Judge Webb stepped back on and called the man to come forward.
 
Observers said the man appeared nervous as he came up. He then began to run. However, he was blocked by officers who were in position at the courtroom entrance.
 
Officers had to take the suspect to the floor before he could be gotten into custody. A taser had to be used during the capture.
 
Caslin was then taken to the County Jail.

Officers originally detained Caslin after finding him outside a nearby business, with blood on his shoes and they took him in to be interviewed.  He was transported to be interviewed and denied being at the slaying.  He said he was in that apartment later in the day. Police said video evidence and statements of witnesses contradicted the account by Caslin. He was released pending further investigation. 

Police said they responded to a person shot at Building 8 of the Bayberry Apartments at approximately 9:08 p.m. They found three victims, including two already dead.  

Hollis Malone, 23, and Lyonnel Gladden, 22, were killed, and another man, 22, was injured in the shooting on Wilson Street.

Police said it was learned that Malone, Gladden, the surviving victim and J'Darius Rice entered Apartment D at 9:02 p.m. Rice was friend of the resident and had permission to be there. 

Police said Caslin was already there when the others arrived and got into an argument with Malone, then shot and killed him.  Police said he then began shooting at the others, killing Gladden.

Police said the surviving victim tried to defend himself with a gun but was shot also. 

Police said Caslin walked away from Apartment D at 9:04 p.m., but returned two minutes later while the surviving victim was calling 911. Police said Caslin took his gun and cell phone as well as Gladden's gun before fleeing the apartment again.

Hamilton County EMS transported the injured victim to a local hospital. Officers located a crime scene inside an apartment unit.  

Police earlier said a motive for the shooting had not been determined.
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