Police briefs: Loaded gun found in Chattanooga air passenger's bag

Sunday, November 3, 2013

photo A loaded Glock 27 was found by the TSA in the carry-on luggage of a passenger flying out of Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport.

Loaded gun found in Chattanooga air passenger's bag

A passenger tried to fly out of the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport with a loaded handgun in his carry-on bag Saturday, according to a news release from the Transportation Security Agency.

The unidentified passenger, who was traveling to Atlanta, was carrying a Glock 27 with a 10-round clip and one in the chamber, the release from TSA press secretary Ross Feinstein stated. The bag was seized and the passenger was cited, Feinstein said.

Airport police would not release any information Saturday, including the passenger's name.

This was the fifth weapon to be found in carry-on luggage at the Chattanooga airport so far this year, Feinstein said. People caught with firearms may be charged criminally and fined up to $11,000 by TSA.


1 dead in North Alabama shooting

An argument led to a fatal shooting Friday night in Fyffe, Ala., DeKalb County Sheriff Jimmy Harris said in a news release. Edward Lee Phillips, 48, of Dawson, was shot several times and died at the hospital, Harris said.

The shooter was at the Dollar General store to rent movies and was leaving when Phillips approached and started a verbal altercation that soon turned physical, the sheriff said. Phillips was shot after striking the man through the open window of a vehicle in the parking lot.

There were numerous witnesses, Harris said. The shooter was questioned at the sheriff's office and released, and Phillips' body was sent to Huntsville for an autopsy. Harris said the investigation is continuing and he anticipates the evidence will be presented to a grand jury later for possible charges.


Wrong-way driver killed on I-24

A Sewanee woman died early Saturday when she drove the wrong way on Interstate 24 and hit another car head-on, according to the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

Rhonda J. Philpott, 48, was traveling east in the westbound lanes near the Pelham exit when her 2001 Nissan struck an oncoming 1994 Honda driven by Jerrod M. Meeks, 35, of Tracy City, Tenn., the THP report stated.

Philpott's car went into the median and caught fire, while Meeks' vehicle spun into the travel lane and was rear-ended by a 2007 Chevy pickup driven by Douglas I. Dennett, 73, of Hixson.

Meeks' car landed on its side on the right shoulder, and Meeks was injured. Dennett's truck spun out just past Meeks' car, hit an embankment and came to rest on the right shoulder . Dennett was uninjured.

The report said all three were wearing safety belts.


2 wounded in Chattanooga shooting

Two people were listed in critical condition with gunshot wounds Friday night, according to Chattanooga police.

In a news release, police said officers were sent to 101 W. 38th St. shortly before 11 p.m. They found Kenneth Monahan, 33, and Brandi Monahan, 26, both wounded.

Investigators determined the shooting had taken place at 3724 Carl White Place. No other information was immediately available and the investigation continues, the release stated.