This week's fatal shooting on Appling Street was at least the third in a month in a concentrated area near Glass Street in East Chattanooga, and the second of those to claim a life.
DeSean Pierce, 22, died at the scene Wednesday from multiple gunshot wounds. He is the 10th victim of gun violence in the city this year, according to newspaper records.
There have been 48 shootings in 2014, a total that is on pace with 2013 figures but slightly more than the number of shootings at this time in 2012.
May is the first month in 2014 in which there have been three fatal shootings.
Chattanooga police could not confirm if Wednesday's shooting was gang-related. But it is not the first gun violence the neighborhood has seen this spring.
Darick Isom was shot in the mouth April 21 at 2208 Glass St., less than half a mile from the site of Wednesday's shooting.
Late on the night of May 5, 54-year-old James Frederick was shot and killed in his vehicle at 2201 Wheeler Ave. That shooting occurred half a mile from Wednesday's shooting and around the corner from where Isom was shot.
No arrests have been made in any of the three shootings, but police said Thursday that suspects have been identified. The shootings are not believed to be related.
A second victim in Wednesday's shooting, 24-year-old Christopher Brown, was recovering from a single gunshot to the arm Thursday, said a family member.
Brown's local criminal history consists only of minor driving offenses. The family said he is not involved with gangs.
Pierce, the victim who was fatally shot, pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary in 2010 and received a six-year sentence that was suspended. He was charged with selling drugs Dec. 23, but those charges were dismissed by the district attorney Feb. 11.
Contact staff writer David Cobb at dcobb@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6731.