By Tierra Hayes

Source Chattanooga Times Free Press, Tenn.

Three people are dead after violence on McCallie Avenue in Chattanooga early Sunday.

Two were killed by gunfire and one died after being struck by a vehicle while fleeing the scene.

In total, the incident had 14 shooting victims and three additional victims were hit by cars, said Police Chief Celeste Murphy at a morning news conference. There are both male and female victims, and one was a juvenile. Several are still in critical condition.

Murphy said there were likely multiple shooters, and no one is in custody. The violence took place near the 2100 block of McCallie Avenue and is believed to be an isolated incident.

"This is once again a situation in which we find that we need help from the community to help us out with this," Murphy said at the news conference. "We cannot do this by ourselves, and we're asking you for help. This is clearly a tragic event for the families involved and the victims. So at this time, I definitely want to make sure that we extend our condolences and thoughts to the families and individuals that are experiencing this today."

Murphy asked for members of the public who may have information to call in tips at 423-643-5100 or via the department's new Atlas One app. Tipsters can remain anonymous.

At 8 a.m., police were still present on the scene, with a portion of multiple blocks taped off, including on McCallie from Willow Street down to an area near Parkridge Medical Center. Debris was present in the street on McCallie, and the investigation was visibly ongoing. Officials at the 10:45 a.m. press conference said it would likely be a few hours before the area was reopened to traffic.

Two calls came in overnight about shots fired or a person being shot on McCallie, according to police dispatch records. A 2:37 a.m. call came from 2125 McCallie Ave., the address of Mary's Lounge. The second call came one minute later, more generally from North Willow Street and McCallie Avenue, nearby.

The violence comes a week after a shooting on May 28 injured six teenagers in Chattanoogs's downtown and central tourist district. Police have arrested a 15-year-old in that shooting.

This is an ongoing investigation.

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