Violence Spreads Throughout Chattanooga

Chattanooga Police are investigating what could turn out to be the fourth shooting in the city since early Saturday morning.

August 25, 2008 - 8:40 PM

Chattanooga Police are investigating what could turn out to be the fourth shooting in the city since early Saturday morning.

Neighbors say they heard shots ring out on 7th Avenue this afternoon and shortly afterwards police arrived on the scene and a nearby school went into lockdown.

A school bus pulls into East Lake Academy while the school is on lockdown today. This came after a reported shooting in the area that left parents like Cynthia James worried.

"Because what if the kids had of been outside or what if they would have went in the school you know?," James asks.

People who work two streets over say a number of shots rang out late afternoon.

 

"We did receive a call saying that an individual had been shot in the stomach," Sgt. Jerri Weary says.

But Sgt. Jerri Weary says so far police have not located a victim or a suspect.

Police on the scene did mark evidence and make note of this blue shirt. All while the students remained on lock down.

"She was scared she said they had to hide under the desk," James says while looking at her daughter.

"the school was lockdown just to ensure the safety of the children in case there was some substance to the call," Weary says.

This is the forth shooting call that Chattanooga Police have responded to in as many days.

Police responded to a shooting at the Kanku's on Wilcox Boulevard early Saturday morning. They tell us a female suffered a gunshot wound to the leg and that another victim arrived at Memorial Hospital with a gunshot wound.

Another shooting occurred on Saturday on South Kelly Street - Police say someone shot Sherena Bell twice in the arm.

And then on Sunday Morning Police say someone shot a 14 year old in the leg after a private party at the Armory off Holtzclaw Avenue.

"And they're really hoping and asking that residents in the area will let us know if they know of any criminal activity so that we can make a movement to try to stamp out some of this violence," Weary says.

And parents we spoke with say they're glad that the school went into lockdown shortly after the reported shooting. They say the believe the school's principal and the school resource officer made the right decision.