Chattanooga man charged with murder in car shooting

  photo  Hamilton County Sheriff's Office / Jamal Adams
 
 

A Chattanooga man has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of Matthew Overby last week, court filings show.

Jamal Adams, 31, is suspected of killing Overby while Overby sat in the drivers seat of his car off Rossville Boulevard on the afternoon of Feb. 1.

According to an affidavit in Hamilton County General Sessions Court, police spoke to witnesses on the scene who said Adams walked up to Overby's car and spoke to him before allegedly shooting him. One witness told investigators, according to the affidavit, that Adams asked Overby, "Are you going to take the rap for that?"

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Adams is already charged with aggravated assault in East Ridge for allegedly stabbing Overby in October, the affidavit states, and police said Overby was worried about retaliation from that case. The affidavit also said police think there is reason to believe the killing was premeditated.

Police saw video that appeared to show Adams walking to Overby's car, leaning inside the window and then firing nine shots at close range, court filings state. Investigators said video then shows Adams running away with a gun in hand.

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According to the affidavit, police found video showing Adams taking off his sweatshirt at an address one street over from the shooting. His clothes were recovered there, hidden under a porch, court filings state.

Adams was arrested last week at the Catoosa County jail in Georgia, the affidavit states.

He is now being held at Silverdale Detention Center on a $1 million bond, according to court filings.

Adams is set to appear in front of Sessions Court Judge Lila Statom on Feb. 14, court records show.

A GoFundMe fundraiser for Overby's family, which had raised more than $8,000 as of Wednesday, says he had six children.

Contact Ellen Gerst at egerst@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6319.

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