Chattanooga police charged one man in Thursday night’s shooting with criminal homicide after an attempted robbery and drug deal turned fatal.
Police said Edward Jackson III and Darryl Williams Jr. were at a playground at 1000 Queens Drive about 5 p.m. allegedly engaging in a drug transaction.
Antonio Green, 28, and Artie Watson, 29, approached the men and attempted to rob them, at which time a physical altercation ensued, said Lt. Tim Carroll, head of the major crimes division.
Mr. Jackson allegedly pulled out a gun and began shooting. Mr. Green sustained a fatal gunshot wound to his upper right chest. Mr. Watson was shot in the lower left leg and left hand, Lt. Carroll said.
Two people playing basketball near the playground heard the gunshots and dove to the ground while telling children playing on the playground to leave, Lt. Carroll said.
One of the players helped load an unconscious Mr. Green into a vehicle to take him to Erlanger hospital, where he later died, Lt. Carroll said.
No money or drugs were taken during the attempted robbery.
Mr. Jackson was charged with criminal homicide.
The homicide is the city’s 16th this year.
See tomorrow’s Times Free Press for complete details.
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HE BROKE SEVERAL LAWS...FELON CARRYING A GUN, HAVING A FIREARM ON A PLAYGROUND, KILLING SOMEONE, NO PERMIT, DRUGS INVOLVED AND MUCH MORE. THE JUDGE NEEDS TO GIVE HIM LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE OR DEATH. IF THE JUDGE'S WOULD STOP SPANKING THE CRIMINLS HANDS AND GIVE THEM TIME OR DEATH, THIS WOULD STOP A LOT OF THESE SINCELESS SHOOTINGS AND KILLINGS. WE NEED TO ENFORCE THE LAWS TO THE FULLEST. IF I WERE A JUDGE, YOU WOULD BE LOCKED UP FOR LIFE OR I WOULD FIRE UP "OLE SMOKEY!"
Thank God no children were hurt in this one.
So criminals have guns eh? Big newsflash. This is what will proliferate too, if guns are taken away from law-abiding citizens as some want to do, and there is little money left in the coffers of the Fed/state/city treasury to pay for more and better policing. Terrorism overseas? We have plenty here in the US.