Bradley County Sheriff's Office / Jontrell Walter Riley, 23.An argument over a reportedly stolen cellphone left one of two transport co-drivers in critical condition in a shooting at a convenience store on Pleasant Grove Road in Cleveland, Tennessee.
Jontrell Walter Riley, 23, of Orangeburg, South Carolina, is charged with attempted second-degree murder and tampering with or fabricating evidence while the alleged victim, Djamel Mahouz, 36, remains hospitalized, according to a Cleveland Police Department news release.
Cleveland police answered a shots fired call at the Pilot Travel Center at Exit 20 on Interstate 75 in Cleveland around 11:30 p.m. Friday, the news release states.
"An argument had occurred between co-drivers of a transport company who were later identified as Djamel Mahouz and his trainee, Jontrell Riley," the release states. "The argument was regarding Riley accusing Mahouz of stealing his cellphone."
A scuffle ensued between the two inside their truck, and Riley allegedly shot Mahouz once with a 9-mm semiautomatic Glock pistol, according to the release.
"Mahouz then left the truck and went inside the Pilot gas station where he collapsed from a gunshot wound to the chest," the release states.
Riley was taken into custody by officers at the scene. Immediately following the incident, Mahouz was said to be in critical condition.
In a follow-up email, department spokesperson Lt. Evie West said Mahouz remains hospitalized and is recovering. Mahouz is from Ohio, West said.
Riley is being held without bond, according to jail records.
Contact Ben Benton at bbenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6569.