DA calls for 15-year-old to be tried as adult in shooting
Hamilton County District Attorney Neal Pinkston filed a request Monday to have the 15-year-old male arrested in connection with the May 28 shooting that left six teenagers injured in downtown Chattanooga tried as an adult.
“We filed a notice of intent this morning to transfer the 15-yearold to Hamilton County Criminal Court,” Bruce Garner, the office’s spokesman, said in an email to the Chattanooga Times Free Press. “Juvenile Court Judge Robert Philyaw will consider the request in a transfer hearing, which has not happened yet. We think a date will be set in a couple of days.”
Garner said the request was made to charge the minor with attempted first-degree murder. The office would not release his name to the press.
According to Tennessee law, there is no minimum age a person can be tried as an adult on first and second-degree attempted murder charges.
Chattanooga police officers were patrolling downtown when shots were heard at the 100 block of Walnut Street just before 11 p.m. Officers quickly responded to the area.
In a joint news conference with Chattanooga Police Chief Celeste Murphy, Mayor Tim Kelly urged parents to keep guns out of the hands of children.
“But I’m also angry. Six teenagers were shot last night,” Kelly said during a news conference May 29 at police headquarters. “That’s outrageous, and it has to stop. It’s ridiculous that I even need to publicly state that guns have no place in the hands of our kids.”
On June 3, Chattanooga Police said they arrested a teenage male in connection with the shooting and charged him with six counts of attempted murder, possession of
“Six teenagers were shot last night. That’s outrageous, and it has to stop. It’s ridiculous that I even need to publicly state that guns have no place in the hands of our kids.” – MAYOR
TIM KELLY
a weapon during the commission of a dangerous felony, unlawful possession of a weapon and reckless endangerment.
According to police, there is a second person of interest, but they would not release additional information.
Eight days later, another mass shooting in downtown Chattanooga occurred at the 2100 block of McCallie Avenue, which left three people dead among 17 victims, the youngest a 16-year-old male.
In a news conference at the steps of City Hall on Sunday, Murphy said the city has to do better.
“I cannot tell you how sad I am, and let’s just do better,” Murphy said, adding that the U.S. Attorney’s Office as well as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives had joined to assist with the investigation.