Chattanooga: Eggs and gun end in scramble, jail

One woman used bullets and another used eggs, but the result was the same -- Silverdale Detention Center.

"Jail's not for a single parent," Consuela McCrobey, 19, said of her afternoon-long stay Sunday at the Chattanooga medium-security facility. "You gotta think about your work; who's gonna take care of your child; who's gonna pay your bills."

Jealousy over a man led to Sunday's food feud, according to McCrobey, who said she merely was reacting to 20-year-old Laela Cross "spitting ice cream on my car."

McCrobey soon escalated the fight, grabbing some eggs and lobbing them at the porch of Cross' Grove Street Court home, police records state.

"I should have thought twice about that situation," McCrobey said. "I should have been at church, actually."

McCrobey said she also regretted driving near Cross' residence -- the women live a block away from each other -- a few hours later. She was with her friend, Tavonna Covington, 20, and each mother had her toddler riding in the backseat.

Standing near the road, Cross fired her semi-automatic pistol at McCrobey's red Pontiac Grand Prix "once and then at least five more times," according to police records, but none of the bullets hit.

"She wears glasses, she can't see," McCrobey said. "But I don't know what kind of anger she had for her to start shooting over some eggs."

McCrobey denied a police report that said she turned her car around for more confrontation.

"That's stupid," she said.

Since four people were riding in McCrobey's car, Cross faces four counts of aggravated assault and she remains in Silverdale on a $200,000 bond. After police responded to a "fired shots" call, Cross immediately gave her .25-caliber Raven pistol to authorities, records show.

Arkansas-LSU Live Blog

McCrobey made her $3,000 bond with help from family and friends on Sunday, she said.

Both women are expected to appear in Hamilton County General Sessions Court on Friday.

Last November, police charged Cross with theft under $500 when a manager at the Hamilton Place Sears said she concealed jeans and underwear valued at $66.90, court records show. That case is pending.

McCrobey had a clean criminal record in Hamilton County until Sunday.

Covington, McCrobey's friend and Grand Prix passenger, could not be reached Tuesday, but her Facebook page acknowledges Sunday's incident and her 2-year-old daughter, who was in the car when the shots were fired.

"Me, Myself, And Ja'Nashia That's [All] I Got In Da End..."

Contact staff writer Chris Carroll at ccarroll@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6610.

Upcoming Events