Six people were shot Saturday night around 11:45 p.m. in downtown Chattanooga, Tennessee, police said.
Officers out on patrol responded to gunfire in the area of 100 Cherry Street. They observed, “multiple parties exchanging gunfire and numerous people fleeing the area.”
Police Sgt. Jeremy Eames said multiple victims, all teenagers in their early 20s, were taken to an area hospital for treatment. Four people sustained non-life-threatening injuries, and two suffered severe injuries that were considered life-threatening.
Eames said large groups of young people were walking around downtown, and he believes that is where the shooting originated.
“We don’t believe all of the victims were an intended target,” the sergeant said. “We are also confident that there is not an ongoing public safety threat at this time.”
According to Eames, at least one person was detained as a person of interest in connection to the shooting.
“Last night, our city felt the terrible cost of gun violence,” city mayor Tim Kelly tweeted. “My heart is with the families whose lives have been upended by this horrific situation. Later today, I will address our community at a press conference. This is unacceptable – our city and our community will act.”
