Celvin "Squeaky" HoustonRead moreSafe haven for youth, East Lake Boys & Girls Club, besieged by violence
A man charged with shooting a Chattanooga police officer multiple times in the thigh, groin and buttock is a suspect in another shooting earlier this month, according to arrest reports.
Celvin "Squeaky" Houston, 39, faces charges of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assault and unlawfully carrying or possessing a gun after he reportedly shot 26-year-old officer William McMillan.
McMillan's injuries were not life-threatening, and he was taken to Erlanger hospital.
He had responded to an anonymous call from the East Lake Courts housing projects asking for officers to check out a group of 30 people, the arrest report stated.
McMillan, who will have worked at the department six years in October, walked up to the group when one of the people emerged and started shooting, the report stated.
Houston left his cellphone at the scene, which helped identify him quickly. He also told a couple of people that "he messed up by shooting an officer," the arrest report stated.
Houston was found just after 8:30 a.m. Wednesday at a home at 419 Booth Road in Brainerd, Chattanooga Police Department Chief Bobby Dodd said.
Dodd said the arrest brings closure for the department.
"I know a lot of the officers personally," he said. "Anytime one of them is hurt, it's like a family member."
Chattanooga police received assistance from local and federal agencies as well as a few local pastors in finding Houston.
He already was wanted on warrants for attempted first-degree murder and aggravated robbery after a robbery and shooting Friday at the Hamilton Inn, 2717 Rossville Blvd.
The police report in that incident stated that Houston brandished a black semiautomatic handgun and told the male victim to "give it up." The man tried to run and was shot in his left leg.
The bullet passed through and grazed his right leg. He dropped a bag of compact discs, which Houston picked up, according to the report.
It's also not the first time Houston was charged with assaulting an officer.
Court records show Houston was charged with aggravated assault on a police officer in 2006. Records show he hit an officer multiple times in the face and ribs and bit the officer's left bicep, drawing blood.
Houston was convicted on a lesser charge of simple assault and served 11 months and 29 days.
As of Wednesday afternoon, he remained in the Hamilton County Jail on a $1.25 million bond. His next court date is March 19 before General Sessions Court Judge Christine Sell.