Increased police patrols continued Sunday as the weekend wrapped up with at least one more shooting to continue a violent few days in Chattanooga.
A man doing yard work in the 100 block of South Seminole Drive was robbed and shot just after noon on Sunday, according to police.
Manuel Gaspar, 52, told police three black males approached him, demanded money and began firing handguns at him when he gave them what he had and they wanted more.
Gaspar was struck in the ankle. The robbers drove off in a maroon, four-door Nissan Titan or Chevy Trailblazer toward East Ridge, Gaspar told police. All three were described as late teens to early 20s, with slim builds.
Police did not specify in a news release if the shooting was related to a spasm of gang violence that erupted Saturday - three shootings in less than 24 hours and more than a half-dozen police responses to "shots fired" calls.
Chief Fred Fletcher prompted increased patrols and targeted action from officers, some of whom were brought in on overtime to assist.
CPD spokesman Kyle Miller said in an email Sunday that any arrests attributed to the increased patrols and efforts would be shared Monday afternoon.
The spate of violence did factor into at least one arrest made Saturday in the parking lot of a Kentucky Fried Chicken parking lot on East Third Street.
An officer arrested Demario Parks, 23, for possession of a handgun while under the influence and for possessing a firearm with the intent to go armed. The officer pulled Parks over because his car had a brake light out, according to a booking report obtained Sunday.
Maurice MadisonThe officer found a loaded Luger handgun in Parks' pocket. Parks told the officer he was carrying the gun for protection and said he did not have a carry permit.
A separate Saturday night incident also led to gun charges against a man accused of shooting at least five times at a house, according to a booking report.
Police arrested Maurice Madison, 23, at 6601 Riggins Drive, just off Shallowford Road after finding shell casings in an area where witnesses said Madison had been shooting. The casings matched a gun the officers had seen Madison throw behind him when they arrived.
Madison was heavily intoxicated and "extremely aggravated with the situation at hand," the arresting officer wrote in the booking report. "He alerted police to his disgust by stating he would murder them. No further."
Contact staff writer David Cobb at dcobb@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6249.