Cortez Sims
Talitha Bowman, 20, was killed and four others were injured in three overnight Chattanooga shootings. One of the victims was a one-year-old girl.
At approximately 1 a.m., Chattanooga Police responded to a gunshot wound call at 773 W. Main St. at College Hill Courts. Police located four individuals suffering from gunshot wounds.
Three were transported to a local hospital. The victims were Marcell Christopher, 18, listed in critical condition, Bianca E. Horton, 24, with non-life threatening injuries, and the one-year old, listed in critical condition. Christopher was also shot Sept. 6. In that incident, he told investigators he was shot while standing near “Nine Brothers” on 38th Street by an unknown suspect.
The child's mother, Bianca Horton, was posting updates on Facebook about her daughter's condition.
The surviving adult victims of the 773 West Main St. shooting were able to identify the shooter as Cortez “AWAX” Sims, 17. Warrants have been obtained against Sims for first-degree murder, three aggravated assault charges, reckless endangerment, unlawful possession of a firearm, and unlawful possession of a firearm during the commission of dangerous felony.
“Let me be clear, we are personally offended by this violence,” said Chief of Police Fred Fletcher. “We are absolutely committed to using every resource available for this atrocious violence and we intend to hold the criminals who perpetrated this violence completely responsible for their actions.”
Officials said, "Chief Fletcher and staff have been in contact with many of the individuals affected by this heinous act of violence against a child, a family and our community. Chief Fletcher personally responded to the scene and spoke with the mother of our infant victim, Bianca Horton. He also spoke personally with the family of Marcell Christopher. Assistant Chief Tracy Arnold and Captain Tommy Woods personally spoke with the parents of Talitha Bowman."
At approximately 3:10 a.m., Chattanooga Police responded to a gunshot wound call at 5227 Hickory Woods Lane.
John Crisman was located suffering from a gunshot wound and was transported to a local hospital. The suspect has been identified as Joshua Taylor. He had previously behaved in a threatening manner, and was attempting to force entry through a window, police said. The family reportedly feared for their lives. Police said, "It appears to be a justified use of force in defense of life." The suspect and victim are brothers.
In a shooting late Tuesday night, Brian L. Posley, Jr. 19, suffered a non-life threatening injury. At approximately 10:40 p.m., the Chattanooga Police responded to 2214 East 26th St. for reports of shots fired. He was shot while he was walking on 4th Avenue. He was unable to say where the shots came from.