As per a statement released on Sunday by Coty Wamp, the District Attorney of Hamilton County, Roger Heard Jr. Discharged several rounds at close proximity towards an officer, leading to a subsequent exchange of gunfire at a gas station in Chattanooga on the evening of August 11.
Wamp additionally released security camera footage from the occasion, which resulted in harm to a Chattanooga law enforcement officer and resulted in the fatality of Heard.
As per the Chattanooga Police Department, Batterson, along with two other officers, Nicholas Ayres and Christopher Dyess, were put on paid administrative leave in relation to the incident. Batterson was subsequently transported to a hospital after being struck in his right arm, as stated by Wamp. Wamp claimed that investigator Celtain Batterson was shot by Heard.
According to Wamp, one of the warrants being executed was to locate “several potentially hazardous culprits.” Wamp stated that on August 11, investigators from the Chattanooga Police Department’s firearm unit, in collaboration with other affiliated organizations, were endeavoring to apprehend these offenders.
Caution: Graphic and brutal material.
“The district attorney declared in a press release that Heard is a brutal offender, a acknowledged narcotics dealer, and a part of a criminal organization.”
He encountered officers on August 11th, who informed him that he had outstanding felony warrants in Knox County. According to Wamp, he has been convicted of felonies in Bradley and Hamilton counties and has served time in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Investigators were at the Speedway gas station on Third Street and Holtzclaw Avenue, after receiving credible information about illegal drug transactions. They approached him, observed him parked there, and said Wamp would be participating in illegal drug activities. They also had outstanding arrest warrants to serve him.
At the train station, following his departure from a gas pump spot, an unidentified law enforcement car pulls up in front of Heard’s vehicle. Ayers and Batterson, donning police badges on their tactical belts, were “vociferously and repeatedly identifying themselves as law enforcement officers,” as affirmed by Wamp in the security camera footage.
Heard’s vehicle advanced towards him, his firearm aimed directly at Heard, Batterson could be observed in civilian attire, while an additional law enforcement car with its flashing lights activated arrived from behind.
Heard can now be seen reaching for an object — we know that object is Wamp’s firearm, as Batterson approaches.
Batterson unlocked the driver’s side door of Heard’s car, which Heard subsequently kicked forcefully towards Batterson, as shown in the video. The video footage does not contain any sound.
Batterson attempted to open the suspect’s vehicle door while firing multiple shots in Batterson’s direction, striking him in the right arm. At the same time, the suspect raised his right arm and made a kicking movement towards Batterson. Batterson instantly retreated before he could respond with gunfire.
He heard officers fired at him while running from the vehicle. He stumbled to the ground and showed another angle. He tried to get up before falling.
Wamp mentioned that he encountered officers from law enforcement and Batterson when he was met with gunfire. The video shows that Batterson was still armed and purposefully traveling in Heard’s direction.
Wamp stated that due to his status as a convicted criminal, it is illegal for him to be in possession of any form of firearm. Wamp claimed that Heard was carrying a significant sum of money, approximately one pound of marijuana in his car, and his gun had been reported stolen in Chattanooga in 2022.
“On the night of August 11, 2023, Heard was committing a long list of felony offenses, overshadowing his attempt to shoot a law enforcement officer at close range, as stated by Wamp.”
Later she stated, “Our community is incredibly lucky that we did not lose a law enforcement officer.” “Investigator Batterson, Investigator Ayers, and Officer Dyess performed their designated tasks with precision and expertise,” she included. “The officers implicated in this occurrence, much like numerous officers, had to swiftly make decisions while facing immense stress and pressure.”
The District Attorney stated that the video released on Sunday belongs to a privately-owned company in another state and was provided to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation following a legal order. Wamp mentioned that the investigators reconstructed the specifics of the event by analyzing the crime scene, conducting interviews with witnesses, and reviewing the video recording.
Wamp stated, “The inquiry is still in progress as investigations cannot be fully concluded in just over a week.” “The body worn cameras, which are not part of the CPD protocol for investigators, were unable to record the attempted murder of Investigator Batterson.”
The shooting happened at around 9:40 p.M. At a Speedway gas station. Heard was pronounced dead after being taken to a hospital.
From two perspectives, the incident is captured on camera. Batterson can be seen opening the door just before Heard forcefully kicks it and quickly escapes from the vehicle. Additionally, there is a slow-motion close-up shot. Around twelve other vehicles were parked at the gas station.
Batterson moved the unmarked police car into the parking lot as other police vehicles pulled into the front of Heard’s vehicle, which was blocking it. After firing at Batterson, Heard could be seen taking cover behind a gas pump while running toward the ground.
Batterson’s figure became indistinct as he positioned himself behind a police car while another officer approached. Batterson aimed his firearm at Heard once more. The video subsequently captured this sequence of events.
The first responders brought in a gurney, and approximately nine minutes later, an ambulance arrived. It seemed like they were providing medical assistance while a group of officers gathered around Heard and additional police vehicles arrived on the scene.
Ayres has been with the police department for approximately four years, while Dyess has been a nine-year veteran of the force. He was one of the fifteen officers who were placed on several weeks of leave last year due to allegations of untruthfulness. Batterson underwent intensive surgery on Wednesday.
The Chattanooga police department has been handling the investigation at the request of TBI. The agency handles the majority of investigations into use-of-force cases in the state.
Members of the local NAACP, as well as the community and family, have been calling law enforcement to release more information and the video footage from the incident, including footage from the security cameras at the gas station, as well as the dashboard and body cameras of the police.
At the Chattanooga City Council meeting on Tuesday, Vice Chair Jenny Hill said that there wouldn’t be any answered questions after they left. Almost 100 people filled the chamber, seeking answers about the killing. Outside the chambers, a few members of Chief of Police Celeste Murphy’s leadership team spoke with the Heard family. Many demonstrators also wore purple in honor of Mac Purp, who went by the name Heard.
In a statement last Thursday, Mayor Tim Kelly of Chattanooga asked the community to be patient and avoid jumping to conclusions, noting that information would be limited due to the third-party’s completion of the TBI incident.
Celeste Chief Murphy’s demonstrated a significant commitment to the community policing, which was a major factor in my decision to hire her. Her ability to navigate difficult situations like these with full confidence was also a great asset.
The spokesperson for Mayor Kelly said that the investigation is not yet complete. Pierre Ann, the local chapter president of NAACP, mentioned that she was watching the footage in a phone call and the organization has not had time to process the information.
“This is overwhelming,” she expressed.
Reach out to David Floyd at dfloyd@timesfreepress.Com or 423-757-6249.