Authorities in Chattanooga are investigating several shootings that occurred around the city Saturday and left three people dead and several others injured.
"Chattanooga communities experienced life-changing trauma from incidents of gun violence this weekend," Mayor Tim Kelly said Sunday afternoon in a statement. "This is absolutely unacceptable - the gunfire, the killing must end."
According to a news release from the Chattanooga Police Department, officers arrived at the 1100 block of Grove Street on Saturday shortly after 10:30 p.m. after a report of several people shot in the area. When officers arrived, they found two women, 37-year-old Labrecia Dews and 21-year-old Keniqua Hughes, dead at the scene.
Emergency services transported four other victims at the scene to a local hospital to be treated for their injuries. Those victims, all women, were reported in stable condition, the news release stated. One other female victim left the scene before police arrived and showed up at a hospital by private vehicle with injuries that were not life threatening.
No names were released for the five injured victims, who were ages 26, 24, 21, 19 and 14, according to police. The assailants in the shooting fled the area before investigators arrived, police said.
Earlier that day just before 6 p.m., police responded to a report of a shooting in the 5300 block of Old Mission Road. Police found a 45-year-old man injured there who was later taken to a local hospital by emergency services to be treated for a non-life-threatening gunshot wound, according to investigators.
Another shooting in the 3400 block of Campbell Street shortly before 10:30 a.m. Saturday left 21-year Jailen Wofford dead. Police arrived at the scene to find Wofford suffering from a gunshot injury. He was taken to a local hospital where he later died, and no suspect details were available, investigators said.
"I have full confidence in [the Chattanooga Police Department's] ability to conduct a thorough investigation that will bring those responsible to justice, while also providing support to the friends and family who mourn," Kelly said. "Gun violence is a public safety and public health crisis that wreaks havoc on too many of our residents' lives - we will address it head-on and with urgency."
Chattanooga police are asking anyone with information about any of the incidents to call 423-643-5100 or submit a tip through the Chattanooga Police Department's mobile app.
Tipsters can remain anonymous.
- Compiled by Kiara Green