South Pittsburg authorities looking for suspect in Tuesday’s shooting

South Pittsburg, Tenn., authorities are seeking a man in connection with a Tuesday altercation that turned violent, with one man being shot.

The victim, Zachary K. Cantrell, was struck by gunshots allegedly fired by Michael Godsby. Officers found Cantrell lying in the grass in the 200 block of Birch Avenue, South Pittsburg Police Department Chief Ryan Meeks said Wednesday. The shooting happened at 10:22 p.m. CDT on Tuesday.

Meeks is seeking a warrant for Godsby’s arrest.

Meeks said Cantrell was taken to Erlanger hospital in Chattanooga for treatment of a bullet wound to his back and a grazing wound on his hand. Meeks said he was unaware of Cantrell’s official condition but said the victim was not in a life-threatening situation.

The chief said Cantrell and Godsby knew each other through a child of Cantrell’s, but he didn’t know whether there was a history of problems between the two.

Meanwhile, Godsby remains at large and authorities are seeking leads and information on his whereabouts, Meeks said.

Tennessee Bureau of Investigation officials are assisting South Pittsburg police, but the state agency has not opened its own investigation, 12th Judicial District Attorney General Mike Taylor said Wednesday afternoon.

The weapon used in the incident was a 9 mm semi-automatic pistol. The weapon has not been found. Meeks said Godsby could be armed.

Godsby is described as a white man about 5 feet, 10 inches tall, weighing 178 pounds with green eyes and brown hair.

Anyone with any information on Godsby’s location or the shooting is asked to contact the South Pittsburg Police Department at 423-837-5003.