The 2019 case prosecutors said brought "a shocking amount of violence" to Trailwood Drive in Lake Hills is being heard in court, where the first witness told prosecutors he didn't want to be there.
"I've never seen nothing like that," the witness said during his testimony Monday. "I was hesitant in coming."
Officials asked the media not to name the witness because of concerns for his safety.
The man, who was given immunity by former Hamilton County District Attorney General Neal Pinkston, didn't look at defendant Gary Dyquanne Cross other than to identify him as the person driving the minivan that pulled up to the home of 28-year-old Tracy Calloway. Two people jumped out and shot around 70 times at Calloway, who was sitting in a car outside the home, according to surveillance footage reviewed by investigators.
The witness said he was in a second vehicle driving behind Cross on July 21, 2019, when the shooting took place in the 4600 block of Trailwood Drive in the Lake Hills area of East Chattanooga and fled the scene after the shooting. He said he saw firearms in the minivan Cross was driving.
"There was definitely no plan involving me," he said. "But they never said, 'Let's go kill somebody' either.'"
Cross, 28, is facing a first-degree premeditated murder charge, along with a dozen other charges including four counts of possession of drugs for resale, tampering with evidence, evading arrest and multiple firearm charges, according to criminal court records.
Cross, who also goes by "Baby G," was arrested Aug. 16, 2019. Three others, Jamichael Antron Smith, also known as J Mike or Two for One; Antonio Dewayne Watkins, who goes by Tony Bologne or Gator Mac, and Prandel Fitzgerald Reid Jr., were all arrested Aug. 2, 2019, in connection with Calloway's death.
Video surveillance from a home security system and a witness statement led to the arrests, according to the affidavit.
"I was trying to get away from them," the witness said as he kept his eyes lowered, adding that two of the men, Smith and Reid, got into his car as he drove away.
He further testified he felt sick to his stomach when he learned the victim was Calloway because he knew Calloway from school.
"(He) delivered a shocking amount of violence," prosecutor Brian Finlay said during his opening statement.
Finlay told jurors that approximately 70 shots were fired at Calloway while he sat in his vehicle.
"Mr. Calloway was sitting in his vehicle on that little street, when Mr. Cross' minivan pulled up, and three people got out," Finlay said. "All three of them started shooting at Mr. Calloway's vehicle. They fired approximately 70 rounds at Mr. Calloway ... that's 7-0 ... striking Mr. Calloway."
Calloway was taken to Erlanger hospital, where he died, according to a sworn affidavit from the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office seeking Cross' arrest.
The next day law enforcement officers spoke with a person who claimed to have been in the minivan with Cross and the other three men. The witness told police the men allegedly said they were going to "go out and shoot someone."
Watkins, Reid and Smith are being tried separately from Cross.
As the almost 4-year-old case comes to trial, Hamilton County Chief Homicide Prosecutor Michael Dowd said Cross' is not the only older case finally getting its day in court.
"We have a number of older cases that we are getting ready to take to trial," Dowd told the Chattanooga Times Free Press via email, adding that another older homicide case will be starting this week.
"This is certainly part of our effort to get these older cases resolved," Dowd said in the email. "Victims and defendants deserve a speedy and thorough resolution to their cases. Having cases that are in the system for four or five years is not acceptable. That's not justice. So, we will be taking these older homicide cases to trial."
Dowd added there have been older cases that have been resolved through plea agreements, and those not resolved through plea negotiations have been taken to trial.
"We do not want cases lingering for no reason," Dowd said. "As they say, justice delayed is justice denied."
Cross left the courtroom after blowing his mother a few kisses before being taken back into custody. His trial will continue Tuesday morning.
Contact La Shawn Pagán at lpagan@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6476.