David LeBron BallardThe suspect in the February aggravated mall riot allegedly cut off his GPS monitor and fled from police on April 25, according to Chattanooga police.
David Ballard, 18, faces multiple charges, including unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm with intent to go armed, evading arrest, criminal trespassing and resisting arrest, according to a post on the department's Facebook page.
Ballard, a known gang member, fled on foot after a police officer saw him sitting in a vehicle on property belonging to the Chattanooga Housing Authority.
The officer identified Ballard by his probation ID card and determined he was on the housing authority's no trespass list. That is when Ballard fled.
The officer remained at the scene with the driver and searched the vehicle, locating a fully loaded Springfield 9mm and ammunition under the passenger seat.
Soon after, Ballard took took to Facebook to post that the gun belonged to him and he had cut off his GPS monitor and ran from police.
In a Facebook Live video, Ballard filmed a verbal exchange between him and the officer before he ended the video. A few minutes after that is when he posted a status saying he had taken off and was on the run.
In late February, several reports of shots being fired and a gun found in the parking lot of Sears sparked panic and an evacuation of the mall. However, investigators ultimately found no physical evidence that shots had been fired, a police spokesman said.
Police ask anyone with information about Ballard's whereabouts to call 423-698-2525 or submit an anonymous tip through the Chattanooga PD Mobile app.