One man is recovering from a single gunshot wound to the abdomen and another is behind bars after a shooting in the 4700 block of Murray Lake Lane around 3 a.m. Sunday.
According to a statement issued Sunday by Chattanooga police, officers found the victim, 25-year-old Gary Douglas, suffering from a gunshot wound he sustained after a man forced his way into a residence there.
The suspect, identified as 24-year-old Dewayne Stanley, was allegedly "kicking at the doors of this residence in an attempt to enter," police stated.
"After gaining entry, the suspect shot the victim after a verbal altercation," police said.
Stanley was taken into custody shortly after police arrived on the scene.
An affidavit of complaint states that a woman at the residence said she and Douglas were watching television when she saw the suspect pull up in a gray sedan. Stanley then began kicking and pounding on her front door in an attempt to get inside, so they went to her bedroom. Then she said she heard a rear window break as Stanley gained entry, the complaint states.
Stanley then challenged Douglas to a fight, which he declined. Then a verbal dispute continued as the two men went into the living room of the home.
The woman said she then heard a gunshot and she saw Douglas as he "stumbled toward her and stated 'I'm hit, baby,'" the complaint states. When she tried to phone for help, the woman said Stanley "slapped" the phone from her hand, so she ran to a neighbor's home to summon help.
The complaint states that Douglas was last known to be in stable condition.
Stanley is charged with attempted first-degree murder, felonious reckless endangerment and especially aggravated burglary. He is being held on $300,000 bond and faces a court hearing on Aug. 24.
Chattanooga police are asking anyone with information about this incident to call 423-698-2525. The investigation is ongoing, and more information will be released when available, police said.
Contact staff writer Ben Benton at bbenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6569. Follow him on Twitter @BenBenton or at www.facebook.com/benbenton1.