Update: 17 charged in gambling raid on Gunbarrel Road, one man shot

Friday, April 13, 2012

photo Officers with a crime scene unit unpack next to the area where there was an officer-involved shooting off Gunbarrel Road around midnight on Thursday. A police raid on an illegal gambling operation ended with several shots fired and one individual wounded.
Map

1618 Gunbarrel Road

1618 Gunbarrel Road

Several well-known Chattanoogans were cited with illegal gambling Thursday night and one man was shot after a raid on Gunbarrel Road, police say.

Four suspects were arrested on gambling and drug-related charges, while 13 others were given citations for illegal gambling and released, said Chattanooga police spokesman Officer Nathan Hartwig.

The raid took place about 10 p.m. Thursday at ATC Healthcare at 1618 Gunbarrel Road, he said.

When the officers entered the building, 32 year-old Clifford Billups ran out the back door and pointed a handgun at the officers, Hartwig said. One of the officers shot Billups, who was taken to Erlanger hospital for a minor injury, he said.

Officers conducted a search of the building and vehicles and found gambling paraphernalia, marijuana and pills, Hartwig said. About $26,000 also was seized, he said.

Among those cited were Alexis Tarumianz, a well-known local businessman, and Neil Spitalny, a long-time Chattanooga orthopedic surgeon.

Here is a list of the suspects and charges:

Clifford Billups 32, charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon, felony reckless endangerment, illegal gambling;

William Evans, 44, charged with aggravated gambling promotion, possession of controlled substance;

Raymond Crawford, 68, charged with illegal gambling, possession of a gambling device;

James Tinker, 75, charged with illegal gambling, possession of a gambling device;

Donald Young, 58, charged with illegal gambling, possession of a gambling device;

Darrell Hibdon, 57, charged with illegal gambling, possession of a gambling device;

William Johnson, 66, charged with illegal gambling, possession of a gambling device;

John Cagle, 58, charged with aggravated gambling promotion, possession of a gambling device;

Alexis Tarumianz, 64, charged with illegal gambling, possession of a gambling device;

Neil Spitalny, 60, charged with illegal gambling, possession of a gambling device;

Kevin England, charged with illegal gambling, possession of a gambling device;

Kenneth Burton, 34, charged with illegal gambling;

Terry Hartman, 50,charged with illegal gambling, possession of a gambling device;

Dale Roesel, 28, charged with illegal gambling, possession of a gambling device;

Ramon Grant, 31, charged with illegal gambling, possession of a gambling device;

Ralph Kennedy, 50, charged with illegal gambling, possession of a gambling device;

Kenny Higdon, 43, aggravated gambling promotion, possession of a gambling device.