A shooting near a nightclub in Chattanooga, Tennessee, early Sunday ended with three people killed and 17 injured, with multiple individuals in critical condition, according to police.
Three people were reportedly struck by vehicles during the tragedy, including one who died, according to reports. Two of the victims died from gunshot wounds.
The shooting was reported at 2:22 a.m. Sunday morning along the 2100 block of McCallie Avenue near a local nightclub.
“Of the 17 injured, 16 were adults and one was a juvenile,” local outlet The Chattanoogan reported.
“Police Chief Celeste Murphy said there were multiple shooters. She said none were in custody,” the outlet reported. “She said concerning people hit by vehicles she did not know if they were driven by some involved in the shooting or if they involved people trying to get away from the scene.”
No arrests have been made so far in the incident. The Chattanooga Police Department has asked anyone to come forward with information about the shooting.
Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly addressed reporters regarding the incident during a press conference on Sunday morning.
“Chattanooga will treat this as the crisis that it is. Over the next few weeks, my administration will be releasing even more ways that we will address gun violence,” he said.
The incident followed a shooting last weekend in downtown Chattanooga, in which six people were injured near the city’s aquarium.
“Officers who were patrolling the area heard gunshots and saw multiple people shooting weapons and numerous people fleeing the area. Officers began rendering aid to the victims and assisting others to safety,” the Associated Press reported.
Police noted that two of the injuries were life-threatening and that most of those involved appeared to be juveniles. A person was reportedly detained but was later released, and no arrests have yet been made.
Chattanooga Police Chief Celeste Murphy said that law enforcement believes the shooting to be related to an “altercation” between the two groups of young people but has no evidence that the incident was gang-related.
“That’s not been officially ruled out, but there’s nothing indicating that at this time,” Murphy stated.
The shootings also follow a concerning number of recent mass shooting events nationwide, including last week’s Tulsa shooting that killed four people.
In addition, 19 elementary school students and two teachers were killed less than two weeks ago at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, involving an 18-year-old shooter before being killed by a Border Patrol officer responding to the call for help. The previous week, a young man killed 10 people in a Buffalo, New York, grocery store before being apprehended.
The concerning incidents have led to widespread calls for actions to reduce gun violence among lawmakers. While congressional leaders have ruled out an assault weapons band, a variety of other options are under consideration. Some options noted have included red flag laws and raising the age to legally purchase certain firearms.
Source: Dailywire
