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Chattanooga man found guilty again in SkyZoo parking lot shooting

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Kristijan Mrkonjic looks around the courtroom last week as the jury files out during an afternoon recess.
Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Kristijan Mrkonjic looks around the courtroom last week as the jury files out during an afternoon recess. Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Kristijan Mrkonjic looks around the courtroom last week as the jury files out during an afternoon recess.

By Sofia Saric 2 min read

A Hamilton County jury found a Chattanooga man guilty Thursday of first-degree murder in a 2021 shooting in the parking lot of the since-closed SkyZoo bar, according to prosecutor Kevin Loper.

Kristijan Mrkonjic, 32, was also found guilty of attempted second-degree murder, employing a firearm during the commission of a felony and evading arrest.

Mrkonjic will serve life in prison, according to Tennessee statute.

It was the second time a Hamilton County jury found Mrkonjic guilty of murder in the fatal shooting of Eric Grant, 32, and attempted murder for the shooting of Marking Vaughn, who suffered nine gunshot wounds.

A judge granted a new trial after a key witness’s credibility came into question. Mrkonjic was acquitted of one count of tampering with evidence in connection with the incident during his 2023 trial.