Chattanooga residents are being asked to stay on the lookout for a shooting suspect who targeted a Chattanooga police officer. A reward of $6,000 is being offered for information leading to the suspect's arrest. The shooting happened at 9:24 Thursday morning in the Glendwood/Mission area and sparked a manhunt.
"One of your Chattanooga police officers was searching an abandoned building," Chief Fred Fletcher said, "to make sure that nobody was illegally squatting or causing danger or disorder to the community." A man exited the scene and fired shots at the officer, who is not currently being named.
Erlanger Hospital treated the officer for non-life-threatening injuries and released him. The suspect is a black male, around six feet tall, thin, with a medium complexion, last seen wearing a dark hoodie with large white cursive lettering. Police spent hours searching for the suspect, and area businesses and citizens are offering the $6,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.
Several downtown schools were on lockdown after the shooting, including the Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences. This afternoon, a man matching the suspect’s description was reported to have entered the school, despite it being on lockdown. Police arrived, evacuated the building, and searched for the suspect. Children sat quietly outside in the stadium while teachers took roll, making sure everyone was accounted for. Then the children filed out onto the field, chatting loudly, as their parents waited to embrace them.
Officials say the school search is over, and no threat was found.
Chattanooga Police Chief Fred Fletcher emphasizes that, if anyone does see the shooting suspect, they should call 911.
From the CPD:
Location – 1001 Mission Ave
Original Date – 12/1/16
Time of Call – 9:16 a.m.
Incident – Shooting (Officer Involved)
Available Details:
At approximately 9:16 this morning an officer with the Chattanooga Police Department was investigating suspicious activity in the area of 1001 Mission Ave when he was shot by a unknown suspect. The following are preliminary facts of that investigation:
· The officer was shot 3 times
· The officer's injuries are non-life-threatening at this time
· He was treated and released from Erlanger Hospital this morning and is with family
· The officer's name will NOT be released by the CPD until the investigation uncovers more information about the motive of the shooting
· The identity of the suspect is unknown at this time
· The suspect is described as a black male with medium complexion, wearing dark pants & a dark sweatshirt with white writing on the front, about 5' 10", slim or medium build
· Chattanooga Police, in cooperation with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, set up a perimeter in the area of the shooting
· After a thorough search of the area no suspect was located and the perimeter has been opened to traffic
· Crime Stoppers as well as concerned community businesses have contributed $6000 as a reward for information leading to the capture of the suspect
· Anyone with information on the suspect is encouraged to call 911 immediately. (Do not call the Crime Stoppers number with this information)
· Members of the violent crimes bureau are actively working the case and following several leads in the investigation