20-year-old Chattanooga man killed on porch; suspect is in custody

photo Chattanooga police responded to 3687 Northrop Street at about 11:15 p.m. Sunday to find the body of Wendell Washington, 20, on the porch. He died from a fatal gunshot wound to his chest.

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photo Wendell Washington
photo Site of Lupton City killing

Blood splatter still stained the porch where 20-year-old Wendell Washington drew his last breaths after shots were exchanged with another gunman late Sunday night, according to Chattanooga police.

Homicide detectives late Monday said they have a suspect in custody who is at a local hospital being treated for a gunshot wound he received during the altercation.

The suspect is under 24-hour watch and faces charges of criminal homicide and possession of a weapon during the commission of a dangerous felony, police said. Because of security issues, the suspect's name and condition were not released and he is not allowed any visitors, police said.

Washington was shot about 11:15 p.m. at 3687 Northrop St. in Lupton City. Homes dot the hill line, some worn weary from the elements and in need of repair while others were freshly renovated.

The blue home marked with a no-trespassing sign where Washington was shot in the chest had an oxygen mask left on the rail of the porch.

Neighbors said the gunfire sounded like firecrackers. One woman who lived next door to where Washington lived with his girlfriend, Kristen Stokes, said she didn't want to talk about what happened.

Police believe Washington was targeted.

Washington's record consisted of a couple of driving offenses and an aggravated domestic assault charge.

A few months ago, police had taken Washington into custody after Stokes showed up at Erlanger North Hospital in Red Bank with a split gum and at least one tooth broken, according to an arrest report. She told police she and Washington had argued. He punched her in the mouth, the report states. The wounds to her face were described as "serious bodily injury." The case was dismissed.

On Twitter, some expressed condolences for Washington's death and posted pictures. One woman tweeted, "Your were my childhood friend, my crush, the first guy I sang for, n your were like fam. Now you gone."

Thus far in 2013, there have been 11 homicides - eight of those deaths were because of shootings.

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