The homicide that occurred this past weekend on Chestnut Street is a tragic reminder of the toll that violence takes in our city. My sympathies and thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the victim. Meanwhile, we continue to hope for the other victim’s quick recovery.
— Andy Berke (@AndyBerke) February 19, 2018
Friends and loved ones flooded social media with posts of grief and disbelief after a one woman was killed and another injured in a drive-by shooting early Sunday morning in downtown Chattanooga.
Cachet Peterson, 21, and Tiana Linares, 24, were in a vehicle traveling north on Chestnut Street outside of Southside Social when they were shot by a suspect in a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction, according to Chattanooga police. Both women were taken to a local hospital where Peterson died a short time later. Linares was said to be in stable condition.
"Somebody please tell me that wasn't my Cachet Peterson," friend Tootie Posley, wrote in a Facebook post.
Looking forward, I believe that a coordinated, well-funded, and proactive strategy will be essential to preventing future tragic incidents like this one. We of course treat these incidents extremely seriously.
— Andy Berke (@AndyBerke) February 19, 2018
"Jesus why Jesus why her I can't take it right now lord," she wrote in another post.
"I love to make memories with the ones I love because you never know when they'll be gone!!! Fly high Cachet Peterson !! We will miss you baby girl," Porchia Witcher also wrote.
Peterson's Facebook page was filled with post after post of her friends and family sharing photos and memories of her.
I will continue to work with the Chattanooga City Council, state lawmakers, local law enforcement agencies, and all of our community partners to implement the policies and policing techniques that reduce fatalities and ensure the safety and peace of mind of all Chattanoogans.
— Andy Berke (@AndyBerke) February 19, 2018
"I miss Cachet Peterson so much man she was so nice we did fun things together all the time wit the crew ..." wrote Quisha Williams.
She described a handful of memories, including a time in which Peterson kept missing some turns while driving and a time the two of them had fun while stopped at stop signs.
"Ima forever miss you friend it ain't hit me hit me yet," she wrote.
Peterson's death marks Chattanooga's third homicide this year, according to Times Free Press records. Police ruled one of those homicides as justified, meaning the use of deadly force was necessary due to witness testimony and evidence collected at the scene.
In a statement released Sunday, Southside Social said it would remain closed until further notice while Chattanooga police investigate the homicide that took place on the street outside its doors.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with all the families involved in this tragic situation," the statement reads.
Patrons leaving the popular bowling alley, bar and grill at the time of the shooting told police that someone in a dark-colored vehicle fired shots into the victims' vehicle. No suspect information was available before press time, and police could not immediately confirm if either the victims or suspect were patrons of Southside Social at any point Saturday night or Sunday morning.
Police ask anyone with information relating to Sunday morning's shooting to call the Homicide Tip Line at 423-643-5100. Callers can remain anonymous and all tips go directly to investigators.
Contact staff writer Rosana Hughes at rhughes@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6327 with tips or story ideas. Follow her on Twitter @HughesRosana.