A Cleveland, Tenn., man is being treated at Erlanger hospital in Chattanooga after suffering multiple gunshot wounds on Halloween.
Police responded to the 3700 block of Stephens Road just before midnight on a report of a shooting and found Desmon Benton, 36, had been wounded, according to a news release from the Cleveland Police Department.
He was airlifted to Erlanger, but could not provide any details about a shooter. Investigators collected numerous pieces of evidence and interviewed family members of the victim. His condition has not been released.
The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to call Detective Daniel Gibbs at 423-559-3393.
Benton had previously been charged with attempted first-degree murder in connection to a Chattanooga shooting in December 2002. The victim, Dennis Harper, arrived at Erlanger with a gunshot wound to the abdomen, according to court records.
The victim said the suspect, Benton, was the son of his ex-girlfriend and that Benton had come to his home on the 1000 block of McCallie Avenue with the ex-girlfriend and Benton's brother.
He said Benton and his brother accused the victim of beating up their mother and told him to step outside, but when he refused, Benton shot him in the stomach.
The charge of attempted murder was dismissed the following year in Hamilton County Criminal Court and Benton pleaded guilty to aggravated assault. He received a judgment of three years probation, according to online court records.
In an unrelated incident, another Cleveland man was airlifted to Erlanger with multiple gunshot wounds less than two weeks ago.
Police were called to an address on Elrod Place SE shortly after 6 a.m. on Oct. 21 and found a man who had been shot multiple times. The victim was in stable condition later that day, according to police.
Police began a search for the alleged shooter, a 14-year-old male, and arrested him later that day. He since has been charged with aggravated domestic assault and attempted second-degree murder.
The Times Free Press is not releasing that suspect's name because he is underage.
Contact staff writer Emmett Gienapp at egienapp@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6731. Follow him on Twitter @emmettgienapp.