Chattanooga marks third homicide of year

Thursday, January 30, 2014

A 25-year-old man was gunned down at the edge of the East Lake Courts public housing complex Tuesday night after an argument, according to Chattanooga police.

Police responded at 6:44 p.m. to 2753 Sixth Ave., where Raphael Sinclair White was shot. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Investigators learned White had argued with 27-year-old Rodney Jennings before the shooting. Police have issued warrants for Jennings' arrest. He was not in custody as of late Wednesday afternoon.

Both men have criminal histories, according to Hamilton County General Sessions Court records.

White had convictions for robbery, aggravated assault, simple assault, numerous counts of domestic assault, possession of marijuana and possession of a controlled substance.

Jennings has convictions for aggravated robbery, unlicensed carrying or possessing of a weapon, disorderly conduct, domestic assault and vandalism.

White's death marks the third homicide in Chattanooga in January, compared to four in the same period last year. To date, the average age of this year's victims is 22. Two of the deaths took place at public housing projects.

On Jan. 5, Charles Brown IV, 27, was stabbed inside a home in College Hill Courts. Monica Delk, his ex-girlfriend, faces a homicide charge. Her next court date is set for Feb. 13 before Hamilton County General Sessions Court Judge Lila Statom.

On Jan. 20, East Lake Academy of Fine Arts eighth-grader Deontrey Southers was gunned down in his doorway at 1501 East 50th St. The shots were meant for his mother's boyfriend, Bobby Johnson, according to sources. No arrest has been made.

Any one with information about the deaths can contact Chattanooga police at 698-2525 or Crime Stoppers at 698-3333.

Contact staff writer Beth Burger at bburger@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6406. Follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/abburger.