Weekend shootings leave one dead; injure six in Chattanooga

Weekend violence

JULY 312 a.m., Walt’s Bar, 6238 Bonny Oaks Drive – Ralph Higgins told police that he was sitting in the bar’s parking lot when a man approached him and demanded his wallet. When Higgins refused, the assailant shot him in the abdomen. Higgins said the man then got into a small 4-door brown car and left the scene. Higgins described the suspect as a black man between 4 feet 11 inches and 5 feet 1 inch tall who was wearing a brown shirt.1:03 a.m., 909 Crutchfield St. – Two men were shot at a large house party near Amnicola Highway. Reginald Locklin told police that he was working as a bouncer when two men among the partygoers began provoking the crowd. Locklin said he was walking toward the men to make them leave when one pulled a gun and began shooting. A bullet tore through one of his legs and lodged in the other. A second man, Brandon Robinson, said he was shot in the foot while he was being patted down to enter the party. The bullet that hit him is believed to have grazed his heel. Locklin described the black man who shot him as 6 feet, 1 inch, wearing a brown button-down shirt and jean shorts with dreads or plates pulled back into a short ponytail. Neither Locklin nor Robinson could give a description of the second suspect.10:21 p.m., 818 B Arlington Ave. – Melvin “Brando” Fennell, 25, was killed and Calvin Garner, 24, and Mariah Stoudemire, 21, were injured after a gunman approached the duplex, asked for Fennell, and then opened fire on him as he came to the door. Fennel was shot multiple times in the chest while the two other victims, who were sitting on the porch, were shot in the lower part of their bodies. Fennel died during emergency surgery at Erlanger hospital. Garner and Stoudemire are listed in stable condition. The suspect is described as a tall, light-skinned black man wearing all black. No motive has yet been established.10:45 p.m., 1100-A Sheridan Ave. – Police say Gregory Brown, 59, brutally beat his girlfriend, 54-year-old Laverne Brundidge. Brown repeatedly punched Brundidge in the face and rammed her head onto the concrete floor of her apartment, according to police. Brundidge said the beating went on for nearly an hour until Brown got tired and went outside where neighbors saw him covered in blood. He then dragged his pit bull outside and punched the dog in the face, police said. Brown has been charged with aggravated domestic assault and cruelty to animals.JULY 412:22 p.m., undetermined – Timothy Hodges called police at 3624 Saluda Street from his home after being shot at an undetermined location in Hixson. Hodges told police that he was robbed at gunpoint and shot at the Bank of America located near Gadd Road. At some point during the confrontation, Hodges was shot in the leg. Police say they question Hodges’ story and are currently trying to locate the exact location on the incident and get more information on the suspect.Source: Chattanooga Police Department