Vigilance, care urged after back to back Chattanooga shootings

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – It has been a violent 24 hours in the Scenic City.

First, shots rang out at Champy’s Restaurant at 6:30 Thursday evening.

That scene was repeated again around 10 Friday morning near Eastgate Mall.

These incidents have some wondering, what is next for Chattanooga and how do we deal with two shootings in public places within 24 hours of each other?

Sgt. Victor Miller of the Chattanooga Police said of the circumstances surrounding the incidents, “Both of these shootings although they are in a public location, as I mentioned earlier. This shooting appears to be targeted towards victims and the one that happened last night, appears to be targeted.”

Chattanooga Police said the targets in these shootings were three total victims, two men at Champy’s on Thursday and one 27-year-old man at Eastgate Mall Friday.

Police said the Eastgate incident on Friday occurred when the victim was walking through a parking lot. An unknown number of suspects approached and shot at him.

As the investigations into these incidents continue, CPD is asking the public to be more aware when in public spaces.

Sgt. Miller said, “If you are in a large crowd, after hours. You see something that looks suspicious. You see people with guns. You see, maybe, people with alcohol and guns are involved, call the police department and allow us to respond. We also ask you to be aware of the situation, if something doesn’t look right or feel right to you, you can leave. Call us, and allow us to investigate, find out what is going on. It could be something that’s okay and we’ll figure that out. Even if we respond and everything is okay, that’s okay with us.”

Additionally, we spoke with Brad Franks of the McNabb Center, a mental health treatment facility in Chattanooga.

He says with these violent incidents, there is increasing trauma being caused to the community. More patients have come to them, reporting having to deal with their aftermath.

Franks said, “It might be hypervigilance, you know, they just witnessed a traumatic event. And that’s going to lead to feeling unsafe, and that’s a natural feeling.”

Franks emphasizes that these feelings can extend outside of those who haven’t experienced these incidents firsthand, but those who have trauma from previous incidents may have more serious symptoms.

He said it is important for anyone who experiences safety-related anxieties to have some tools for coping.

Franks recommends using “grounding techniques. Focus on sight, smell, scent. Just focus on your surroundings. Focus on deep breathing and being present.”

He also encourages anyone who may have trauma to seek out professional counseling.

CPD reported that the Eastgate victim has life-threatening injuries and is at a local hospital.

There have been no arrests in either incident.

If you know anything that could lead to one, please contact Chattanooga Police.