Shooting linked to gangs, police say

A Saturday-night shooting outside Memorial Auditorium has been ruled as a gang shooting, according to Chattanooga police reports.

Terrance Birt, 15, was charged with attempted first-degree murder and aggravated assault after 17-year-old Dominique Jones was shot once in the neck.

A witness told police that he and Jones were standing near the auditorium on McCallie Avenue when they were approached by a group of young men. Someone in the crowd yelled, "There goes some Bloods," the name of a well-known gang.

Witnesses told police that one of the group pulled a long rifle from inside his clothing, aimed it in the direction of Jones and another man and fired one shot.

Jones and the man began to run west on McCallie and then south to 800 Georgia Ave., the report said. They reached the Midtown nightclub and called authorities, according to reports.

Jones' injury was not life-threatening.

Witnesses identified Birt as the shooter, and he was later arrested at a Chattanooga residence.

A relative of his was arrested recently on a similar charge.

Birt's uncle, Cordirrus Birt, 20, was arrested Friday on suspicion of attempted murder, accused of shooting 28-year-old Derrick Lewis.

The shooting took place Jan. 21 at Terry's Lounge, at 4010 Rossville Blvd.

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