CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — A 15-year-old girl was shot while sitting in a vehicle Thursday morning in Chattanooga, and two teenage boys are now in custody facing charges.
The shooting happened just before 9 a.m. on the 2800 block of Market Street, about a block south of the Howard School campus.
Chattanooga Police said officers arrived at the scene and found a wrecked vehicle with two teenagers walking away from it. Shortly after, investigators learned the 15-year-old victim had arrived at a local hospital with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to her side.
Police determined the suspects had been in the wrecked vehicle and fired at another vehicle where the 15-year-old was a passenger. The driver of that vehicle, a 38-year-old woman, was not injured.
Authorities have charged 18-year-old Jalijuan Haggard and a 16-year-old boy with two counts of attempted first-degree murder.
According to an affidavit, the victims told police they noticed the suspects’ vehicle following them. Moments later, they saw a teen boy pull out a gun and fire from the back seat. The driver told police Haggard was behind the wheel while the 16-year-old opened fire.
Both suspects are now in custody. After being read his Miranda rights, Haggard claimed someone from the victims’ car fired at him, but the victims denied it. Haggard did admit to driving the suspects’ vehicle.
Howard School was scheduled to host a game against Brainerd High on Saturday, but Hamilton County Schools canceled it, citing safety concerns and recommendations from local law enforcement and school principals. It’s unclear if this shooting influenced that decision.
Chattanooga Police ask anyone with information about the shooting to call 423-698-2525. Anonymous tips are accepted..
