Reward raised to $11,500 for information leading to arrest of man who shot Chattanooga officer

Chief Fred Fletcher, center, flanked by officers Rob Simmons, left, and Jerry Weary, speaks to the media Dec. 1, 2016 after an officer was shot three times by an unknown assailant while checking an abandoned building near the intersection of Glenwood Avenue and Mission Avenue.
Chief Fred Fletcher, center, flanked by officers Rob Simmons, left, and Jerry Weary, speaks to the media Dec. 1, 2016 after an officer was shot three times by an unknown assailant while checking an abandoned building near the intersection of Glenwood Avenue and Mission Avenue.

The Chattanooga police officer who was shot three times on Thursday fired back at the suspect, then drove himself to the hospital, police say.

The officer, who has not been identified, was shot while checking out an abandoned building on the 1000 block of Mission Avenue around 9:15 a.m. Thursday, prompting a five-hour manhunt that failed to capture the suspect.

On Monday, Police Chief Fred Fletcher urged the suspect to turn himself in and raised the reward for information leading to the man's arrest to $11,500. The officer may have wounded the suspect during the firefight, Fletcher said.

"If anybody knows of anybody who has an unusual wound, we encourage you to call 698-2525," he said.

Police described the suspect as a thin black male between 5 feet, 10 inches and 6 feet tall. At the time of the shooting, he was wearing a hooded sweatshirt with white lettering. He has not been identified.

Fletcher addressed the suspect directly during a Monday news conference.

"You may think you have friends who will keep you from facing accountability," he said. "I want to tell you right now, I doubt your friends like you more than they like the prospect of $11,500."

Fletcher also confirmed that the officer was wearing a bullet-resistant vest that stopped at least one bullet during the attack. He declined to release the officer's name out of concern for his safety.

The officer was not dispatched to the home on Mission Avenue, Fletcher said, but rather was proactively checking the area because the spot is known for illegal drug activity and criminal trespassing.

The officer saw a man walking away from the vacant building and as he "attempted to contact" that man, he turned and fired at the officer, Fletcher said. Both men were outside the building during the shooting.

"Unfortunately, the suspect was able to flee while the officer escaped and got the medical care he needed," Fletcher said.

He declined to say how many shots the officer fired or how many shots the suspect fired at the officer. He also did not say what sort of weapon the suspect used.

The officer was not wearing a body camera and the incident was not captured by the dashboard camera in his patrol vehicle, Fletcher said. He could not say whether the officer was targeted or how the suspect escaped.

The officer's weapon was recovered, he said, and police have discovered "a great deal" of physical evidence at the scene. Community members also have given police a variety of tips, Fletcher said.

Fletcher defended the robust and long-lasting manhunt for the suspect. State, local and federal officials all assisted, and the search included at least two helicopters, multiple K-9 units and SWAT teams.

There have been 126 other shootings in Chattanooga so far this year in which 150 people were shot. None prompted such a massive manhunt.

"Anybody who would, without provocation, attack an armed, uniformed police officer - a public servant whose job it is to protect the community - is very likely to harm our neighbors," Fletcher said. "We are committed to keeping you, your family and your community safe. And anyone who would attack a police officer is a danger to the community."

Contact staff writer Shelly Bradbury at 423-757-6525 or sbradbury@timesfreepress.com with tips or story ideas. Follow @ShellyBradbury.

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