An investigator lifts up crime scene tape for a crime scene vehicle can leave Wednesday, June 21, 2017, on the 1700 block of Stanfiel Street in Chattanooga, Tenn. Detectives were investigating in and around a home on Stanfiel Street. The men found shot to death in Highland Memorial Gardens are being remembered by family members and loved ones who spoke about their grief Wednesday as funeral preparations were being made.
Thomas Holder, 20, and Rayshann Underwood, 17, were found dead in the cemetery Tuesday morning by former Chattanooga City Councilman Manny Rico. Both died from apparent gunshot wounds, and police are now investigating it as a gang-motivated incident.
“He was just a very nice person. He always had a smile on his face,” Angela Deloach said about Underwood, her godson. “You had to really, really push him to do anything.”
She said she knew he was associating with people connected to gang activity, but he was doing well in school and had ambitions.
“Every child has their ups and downs,” she said. “But I don’t think he was a bad kid at all.”