Crime
Toney Allen and Cyntoria Simmons arrested in shooting death of Mayco Bravo Gonzalez at Waffle House in East Ridge
EAST RIDGE, Tenn. — Two individuals have been arrested in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred at a Waffle House in East Ridge earlier this month, according to the East Ridge Police Department.
Members of the department’s Criminal Investigative Division announced that 37-year-old Toney Tyrone Allen of Chattanooga and 43-year-old Cyntoria Deanna Simmons of East Ridge were taken into custody on January 20 following an investigation into the shooting, which occurred on January 18 at the Waffle House located on Ringgold Road.
Police were dispatched to the restaurant at approximately 10:45 p.m. after receiving reports of a shooting.
Upon arrival, officers located Mayco Bravo Gonzalez, 26, of East Ridge, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
Officers immediately rendered life-saving aid until emergency medical personnel arrived. Gonzalez was transported to Erlanger Hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
Investigators reported that witnesses observed a man and a woman enter the restaurant together and place an order.
Surveillance video shows the pair interacting with employees and briefly exchanging words with Gonzalez before leaving the restaurant.
According to police, the male suspect later returned inside armed with a firearm and fired multiple shots at Gonzalez while he was seated with his back turned.
Authorities stated that the female suspect also re-entered the restaurant while armed, but did not discharge her weapon.
Allen and Simmons have both been charged with criminal homicide.
Police confirmed that the investigation remains active and ongoing, and additional charges are possible as detectives continue to review evidence and interview witnesses.
No further details have been released at this time.
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.