Chattanooga: Officer, suspect identified in Monday shooting

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

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601 Ledford St.

601 Ledford St.

Chattanooga police have identified two suspects in a Monday home invasion robbery on Ledford Street that resulted in a officer shooting one of the suspects in the foot.

Police responded to 601 Ledford St. just after noon Monday and found Melvin Evans, 18, and a 16-year-old suspect inside the residence.

As Evans and the teen began to flee from the residence, the 16-year-old brandished a gun, pointing it at Officer William Campbell, according to police spokeswoman Sgt. Jerri Weary.

Campbell ordered the suspects to the ground. Evans complied but the teen pointed the gun while running. He was shot in the foot, Weary said.

Evans faces charges of aggravated robbery, possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony and criminal conspiracy. His next court date is set for April 26 in Judge Clarence Shattuck's courtroom.

The 16-year-old, whose name is not being released because he is a juvenile, was treated at a local hospital and charged with aggravated robbery, aggravated assault on police and felony possession of a firearm.

Police believe that two men went to the home to rob the residents of drugs because inside the home were two bags of marijuana in amounts large enough to resell. Two guns were also found inside, police said.

Campbell, who has been with the department for 10 years, has been placed on administrative leave for seven days while the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and department investigators review the shooting.

Police Chief Bobby Dodd said it appears Campbell used the appropriate amount of force when responding to the call.