Police identify shooting victim

The man who was shot on Walden Avenue on Wednesday night has been identified as 22-year-old Barry Bowman.

He remained in critical condition at Erlanger hospital Thursday.

Chattanooga police responded to a report of shots fired at 6317 Walden Ave. about 8 p.m Wednesday. Bowman arrived at Parkridge East Hospital in a private vehicle about 8:15 p.m.

Early reports indicated that a white SUV with several bullet holes was found at the scene. Neighbors reported hearing about six shots.

Earlier in the day, as many as 15 people had an altercation a couple of blocks away, neighbors said. It's unclear if that altercation is related to the shooting.

Bowman was arrested in September for disorderly conduct, and in July for reckless endangerment, unlawful carrying of a weapon, discharging a firearm in town, resisting arrest and tampering with evidence.

Anyone with information on this crime is asked to call Chattanooga police at 423-698-2525.

Man charged in truck theft

A man suspected in the theft of a truck from a local Walmart was arrested Thursday.

Christopher Lynn Goins, 25, is charged with stealing a truck from the parking lot of the Walmart off Brainerd Road on Sept. 11, according to a news release.

He has been charged with theft over $10,000 and parole violation, Chattanooga police spokesman Nathan Hartwig said.

He was arrested in the Tiftonia area by officers from the Chattanooga police's fugitive unit, K-9 Unit, patrol division and the U.S. Marshals Service.

The owner of the truck shot at the suspect as the vehicle was being driven away. The owner left his keys on the counter inside the Walmart and they apparently were picked up by the person who stole the truck, police said.

Marijuana plants lead to charges

A man faces charge of aggravated assault, vandalism, manufacturing marijuana and felony possession of drug paraphernalia after Hamilton County Sheriff's Office deputies executed a warrant at a residence after he allegedly pointed a gun at a Republic parking employee Wednesday and drove through the gate.

Investigators secured an arrest warrant Thursday at 13608 Jones Gap Road where they took Phillip Dale Ellis into custody. As SWAT team members secured Ellis, they noticed marijuana plants. A search warrant was executed, and authorities confiscated a "large amount of marijuana plants ... along with the equipment used to assist growing marijuana."

Drug disposal offered for public

A drug drop off will take place Sept. 29 at Central High School, 5728 Highway 58, for residents to dispose of medications safely.

The event, which lasts from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., is sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Hamilton County Sheriff's Office. Authorities are hosting the event to prevent prescription drug abuse which sometimes occurs when someone rummages through left over medication.

During a nationwide event in April, 276 tons of prescription drugs at 5,600 sites were collected by DEA and local law enforcement agencies.