Chattanoogan Clyde Thomas faces first-degree murder charge after shooting man in neck

Man charged in Monday shooting

Chattanooga resident Clyde Thomas faces attempted murder charges after an argument with Jonathan Smith turned violent Monday night.

Smith remains in critical condition at Erlanger hospital after being shot in the neck with a 9mm pistol.

The two had been arguing at Thomas' residence before he asked Smith to leave, according to a police affidavit. As Smith was entering the front passenger seat of a third party's green Honda Accord, Thomas followed with his Ruger in hand before firing one shot at Smith, which struck him.

Police officers arrived at a gas station at 3901 Dodds Ave. at 8:36 p.m. to find Smith wounded in the vehicle. The third party did not suffer any injuries.

Thomas was preliminarily charged with attempted first-degree murder and aggravated assault. His total bail was posted at $650,000.


Police charge two in burglary

Two men have been charged in connection with a burglary Monday at Laurel Breeze Drive on Signal Mountain.

The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office said Cole Nathaniel Howard, 24, and Christopher Whitford, also 24, have been charged with two counts of aggravated burglary, theft, felon in possession of a weapon, destruction of evidence and criminal conspiracy.

Howard was captured when he came out of the woods on the W Road, the sheriff's office reported, while Whitford turned himself in at the County Jail on Monday evening.

Authorities had been looking for the suspects when they left Laurel Breeze Drive in a silver Kia. Deputies chased the vehicle before a foot chase.

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