Crime
34-Year-Old Demontra Collins Charged in Chattanooga Homicide After Calling 911 Following Fatal Shooting
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — A Chattanooga man has been charged with murder following a fatal shooting Wednesday afternoon that police say stemmed from an earlier dispute and resulted in both individuals exchanging gunfire.
According to the Chattanooga Police Department, 34-year-old Demontra Quintez Collins has been arrested and charged with criminal homicide in connection with the death of 27-year-old Jamel Daeshun Sutton.
The incident occurred shortly after 3:30 p.m. in the 1200 block of North Hickory Street.
Responding officers located Sutton behind an apartment building suffering from a gunshot wound to the torso.
He was transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
Less than 15 minutes after police were dispatched to the scene, Collins reportedly called 911 and told dispatchers that he and Sutton had “just shot at each other.” Officers located Collins shortly afterward.
According to an affidavit, he retrieved the weapon he used in the incident—a “Draco”-style semi-automatic firearm—when approached by law enforcement.
During an initial interview with investigators, Collins stated that he and Sutton had been involved in an argument three days prior.
On the day of the shooting, Collins said he was driving down North Hickory Street when he saw Sutton standing outside a parked vehicle.
According to witness statements, Sutton appeared to be adjusting a child’s car seat at the time.
Collins told police that he believed Sutton was reaching into the vehicle to retrieve a firearm. In response, Collins exited his vehicle with his own firearm already in hand and approached Sutton.
The report notes that Collins claimed he did not see a weapon on Sutton until after he advanced toward him.
While investigators have not yet determined who fired first, ballistic evidence indicates that Sutton discharged a 9mm pistol twice, while Collins is believed to have fired approximately 12 rounds from his Draco-style firearm.
When detectives questioned Collins about why he chose to confront Sutton with a weapon instead of avoiding the situation by continuing to drive, Collins declined to answer further questions and ended the interview.
Collins was taken into custody later that day and is currently being held on a charge of criminal homicide.
The investigation remains ongoing.
MT. JULIET, Tenn. — Authorities have identified two victims killed during an active shooter incident at Cedar Creek Marina in Mt. Juliet late Friday night.
The suspect, identified as Gary Haley, a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history, is deceased following an officer-involved shooting, officials confirmed.
Mount Juliet Police officers were dispatched at approximately 9:30 p.m. Friday to the Cedar Creek Marina, located in the 9000 block of Saundersville Road, after receiving reports of a man threatening another individual on the docks.
Due to the active shooter report, a shelter-in-place order was issued for the surrounding area as a precaution.
Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim was later identified as Robby Brogdon, who was transported to a local hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Despite life-saving efforts, Brogdon later succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators determined that the suspected shooter had retreated to a boat within the marina and had barricaded himself inside.
The standoff continued for several hours as officers secured the scene and attempted to resolve the situation safely.
At approximately 1:00 a.m. Saturday, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) reported that the suspect engaged responding officers and fired shots at them under circumstances that remain under investigation. Officers returned fire.
The suspect, Gary Haley, was later found deceased aboard the vessel.
During the course of the response, officers also discovered a second adult male victim, Nathan Jones, who had been shot by the suspect.
Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.
No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has assumed responsibility for the investigation, which includes a homicide, an attempted homicide, and an officer-involved shooting.
TBI agents are actively conducting interviews, collecting evidence, and working to establish a comprehensive timeline of events.
Upon completion of the investigation, findings will be submitted to 15th Judicial District Attorney General Jason Lawson for review.
Authorities stated that additional information will be released as it becomes available.