Chattanooga Police have released the names of a "Who's Who" list present at a high-stakes poker game on Thursday night. A caterer at the event who tried to flee out the back door drew on officers. An officer fired and hit Clifford Jamar Billups, 32, in the side.
He was treated and released. Billups, who has a lengthy criminal record, was charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon, felony reckless endangerment and illegal gambling. He is due to appear in General Sessions Court next Thursday.
Police seized $26,393 in cash, 34 pills (unknown), 3.3 grams of marijuana, miscellaneous gambling paraphernalia, an HP laptop computer and three vehicles.
Police Chief Bobby Dodd said those involved in the game at an office complex at 1618 East Brainerd Road were rounded up and taken to the Police Services Center for questioning.
He said those at the game included a doctor, who went out and checked on the wounded man lying in the parking lot prior to the arrival of EMTs.
Chief Dodd said "no politicians" were at the table.
Chief Dodd said police had been gathering information about illegal poker games that he said were operated by Kenny Higdon, owner of several medical firms, including ATC Healthcare,Service, Xpedia Solutions and Pro Drug Screening.
He said police were advised that it required $1,000 to get into a poker game and from $30,000 to $100,000 was involved in the betting on a typical night. He said police were told that the house got $10 per hand.
The chief said the operation was formerly on Rossville Boulevard, "but they got robbed there."
He said one reason the vice unit goes after such operations is because of the robbery possibility that could end up with a number of people being shot.
Chief Dodd said about 20 people were inside the room when officers announced their presence at the front door. He said Billups and four others tried to get out the back. The other three were nabbed, but he said Billups drew a weapon and aimed it at officers.
He said an officer then fired.The officer involved will be on administrative leave for seven days as is standard procedure.
It was found that Billups had a second weapon on him, police said.
Chief Dodd said he could not understand why anyone would draw a weapon when the charge for gambling is only a misdemeanor.
The officers knocked on the front door at 9:50, and the shooting happened three minutes later.
The location is between East Brainerd Road and Igou Gap Road on the east side of the road.
Others charged were:
William Evans W/M 12-08-67 Charged with aggravated gambling promotion, possession of controlled substance
Raymond Crawford W/M 04-14-43 Charged with illegal gambling, possession of a gambling device
James Tinker W/M 08-30-36 Charged with illegal gambling, possession of a gambling device
Donald Young W/M 08-02-53 Charged with illegal gambling, possession of a gambling device
Darrell Hibdon W/M 03-04-55 Charged with illegal gambling, possession of a gambling device
William Johnson W/M 12-05-45 Charged with illegal gambling, possession of a gambling device
John Cagle W/M 02-27-54 Charged with aggravated gambling promotion, possession of a gambling device
Alexis Tarumianz W/M 07-10-47 Charged with illegal gambling, possession of a gambling device
Neil Spitalny W/M 05-31-51 Charged with illegal gambling, possession of a gambling device
Kevin England W/M 04-23-71 Charged with illegal gambling, possession of a gambling device
Kenneth Burton W/M 12-13-77 Charged with illegal gambling
Terry Hartman W/M 10-18-61 Charged with illegal gambling, possession of a gambling device
Dale Roesel W/M 10-02-83 Charged with illegal gambling, possession of a gambling device
Ramon Grant B/M 12-10-80 illegal gambling, possession of a gambling device
Ralph Kennedy W/M 07-04-61 illegal gambling, possession of a gambling device
Kenny Higdon W/M 12-31-68 aggravated gambling promotion, possession of a gambling device
Court dates have not yet been set for them.