WRCB Channel 3 Chattanooga News, Weather | 15 Year Old Shot by CHA Officer Laid to Rest

15 Year Old Shot by CHA Officer Laid to Rest

Posted: Updated:

Updated Friday 5 P.M.

Lauren Brown
Eyewitness News Reporter

CHATTANOOGA (WRCB) -- The NAACP is demanding answers from the CHA in the shooting death of 15-year-old Alonzo O'Kelley Junior. They've asked for information that hasn't yet been released be made to the public about the shooting. 

Meanwhile, family and friends said a final goodbye to their loved one. Friday was about laying  to rest. The family members we spoke to say he won't be at peace until they can find out what happened the night he was shot to death by the officer.

"It's no restitution. Think about it, it's a life," said Sharon Peterson, O'Kelley's Aunt.

Sharon Peterson along with dozens of family members and friends said goodbye to O'Kelley Friday afternoon.

"We have gathered here today. Alonzo has summoned us here to make us think about our own lives," said Dr. Ternae Jordan, Mount Canann Baptist Church.

It was a hard day for those sitting inside Franklin Strickland Funeral Home.

"Anytime a young person who hasn't had the opportunity to live is put away, it's a sad time," said Jordan.

"We've never had anything like this happen in the family before. It seems like an unnecessary loss," said Pastor Emeritus Noble Oliver Jennings, O'Kelley's great uncle.

Relatives say they still aren't convinced they've heard the entire story about the night O'Kelley was shot.

"It's not fair. It's not fair for the police department just to get away with it, and they can justify it because of the tapes. You can't justify shooting somebody in the back. Not a 15 year old, come on now," said Peterson.

The officer's version of the story is that O'Kelley was only shot once because he wouldn't drop the gun.

"I think what happened is just a misunderstanding by the officer and him because they are going to be out, and it wasn't really dark and he got shot in the back like that. I think it's unfair. I think some justice needs to be done by it," said Dr. Patricia Cook, O'Kelley's Aunt.

"He was just a baby. That's the thing. 15 years old, to me that's a baby. I'm sorry, that's not a man; that's a baby," said Peterson.

TBI is not investigating the shooting. We contacted police about the investigation, and they say a decision has not been made on whether it will be handed over to TBI, but it will be up to the District Attorney.

Updated Friday 9:00 AM

CHATTANOOGA (WRCB) - The Chattanooga branch of the NAACP emailed the Channel 3 Eyewitness Newsroom on Friday morning about its demand for answers in the shooting by a Chattanooga Housing Authority officer than left an armed teenager dead.

The letter reads:

Chattanooga-Hamilton County Branch President Valoria Armstrong requests detailed information be released to "provide what the community demands".
 
Following the receipt of dozens of inquiries from the community regarding the fatal shooting of Mr. Alonzo O'Kelley, Jr. that occurred on July 1, 2009, the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Branch of the NAACP in an attempt to provide accurate information surrounding the shooting is requesting the Chattanooga Police Department & the Chattanooga Housing Authority to immediately release the following information. This information is vital in our search, for the truth regarding the incident.

1. All dispatch records as it pertains to the shooting
2. All reports written or tape recorded as it pertains to the shooting
3. Coroner 's reports as it pertains to the deceased
4. All reports as it relates to any tests conducted on the weapon allegedly possessed by Mr. O'Kelley
5. Department policy as it relates to "routine "traffic stops
6. A copy of prior complaints, written reprimands, and the personnel file of Officer Reeves and all Chattanooga Housing Department Officers 
7. Statements of any witnesses to the incident that were taped or written
8. Any and all other information not specifically requested as it pertains to the shooting

While this is not an indictment of the Chattanooga Housing Authority Police Department as a whole, it is a necessary request to provide what the community demands and that is answers that contain accurate information. We also believe that it is in the best interest of this community to call for an independent investigation to ensure the integrity of the investigation.

"We hope to improve the relationship between our community and law enforcement officers -- which is the best way to create the trust needed for police to effectively solve crimes," President Armstrong says.

Updated Thursday 4:00 PM

CHATTANOOGA, TN (WRCB) --  Continuing coverage of the 15 year old boy shot and killed by a Chattanooga Housing Authority officer last week.  A local community organization is demanding a federal investigation.

The Chattanooga Community Council was started in late 2007.  It's a non-profit, city-wide organization aimed at stopping the violence.  Now, they say it's their mission to get to the bottom of Alonzo O'Kelley, Jr.'s death.

"That's the question we ask," said Mahmood Abdullah, Chairman of Chattanooga's Community Council.  "Why is it that they have the video, but they dont have that segment of it? What are you trying to hide?"

Acting as a mouthpiece for East Lake, the chairman of Chattanooga's Community Council demands answers.  At a news conference Thursday, Abdullah criticized Chattanooga's Housing Authority for releasing a section of surveillance video.  It shows the 30 seconds leading up to O'Kelley's death, but not the moment he was gunned down by housing officer, Lt. Erik Reeves.

"They have not shown where the young man was pointing the pistol at the police," Adbullah told reporters.  "It's like they got rid of that evidence."

Police say there is no evidence to see.  O'Kelley's death wasn't caught on camera.  But the teen who was with O'Kelley the night he was shot told us his friend dropped the gun long before he ran into Lt. Reeves.  Abdullah says it's the same story 15 eyewitnesses are telling, disputing the officer's claim that he fired because he was threatened.

"The proof that we have is in the community," said Abdullah.  "He (Reeves) only one, and what makes his word better than their word."

"They took somebody's child, somebody's friend, somebody's brother... for no reason," added LaToya McClendon.

McClendon didn't know O'Kelley, but his death haunts her.

"Maybe if we start speaking out and stop being scared, it'll be a change," explained McClendon.  That's why she's joining the Chattanooga Community Council, helping Abdullah contact numerous federal leaders.  They believe national attention is the only way Chattanooga's Housing Authority will come clean.

Tuesday, Housing Authority Police Chief Felix Vess told reporters he has nothing to hide, and he wants everyone to have the same information.

Updated Wednesday, 5:00 PM

CHATTANOOGA, TN (WRCB) -- Police say their officer did his job, but a 17 year old who was with the shooting victim the night he was shot and killed by a Chattanooga Housing Authority police officer says that's not true.

Kammari McCray admits his friend, Alonzo O'Kelley, Junior, had a gun, but he says the weapon was long gone when Housing Officer Erik Reeves confronted them.

"I'm speechless," McCray told Eyewitness News.  "I can't really say nothing to nobody."

Even a week later, the shock hasn't worn off.  Kamaari McCray watched his best friend Alonzo O'Kelley Junior, die at the hands of a police officer.  It started with a trip to the liquor store, when someone in a dodge durango drove by shooting.

"They started shooting at us, and my best friend, we just started running," explained McCray.  "We started running as soon as we heard the gunshots."

That much we can see in surveillance video released by Chattanooga's Housing Authority.  But what happened next wasn't caught on camera, and McCray tells a very different story from Chattanooga's Housing Authority.

McCray told Eyewitness News, "He did not aim no gun at him.  I know that for a fact.  He did not aim no gun at him."

McCray says he dropped to the ground when housing officer, Lt. Erik Reeves, ordered him to.  His friend kept running, empty-handed.  He claims O'Kelley ditched his gun, long before confronted by Lt. Reeves.

"He did not aim at him," said McCray.  That's just the lie they're trying to use because they know he was in the wrong."

Police stand behind the officer's decision to fire, saying O'kelley had a gun pointed at Lt. Reeves.  Still, McCray says a deadly bullet to the back roves the 15-year old was running away.

Eyewitness News asked McCray how many times Lt. Reeves fired his weapon.  He says he heard six shots. CHA Police Chief Felix Vess says that's still being investigated by the TBI.

officer erik reeves remains on paid leave.Updated Tuesday, 6:00 PM

CHATTANOOGA, TN (WRCB) -- The Chattanooga Housing Authority says surveillance video proves the officer fired in self defense, but the young victim's mom says a crucial portion of the tape is conveniently missing.

Gloria Duncan watched the surveillance video Monday, the same day she looked at the medical examiner's autopsy report.  She says her son's fatal gunshot wound to the back just doesn't fit with the story Chattanooga's Housing Authority is telling.

"There's more to it," explained Gloria Duncan, mother of victim, Alanzzo O'Kelley, Jr.  "It needs to come out.  My baby's dead."

That was Duncan's first thought after watching surveillance video released by the Chattanooga Housing Authority Tuesday.

It shows the 30 seconds leading up to her son's death.  Police say it started with a gunfight between the 15-year old, and someone inside a black dodge durango, driving down Fourth Avenue.

"The gun ain't came up," explained Duncan.  "The only thing I see on the tape is just him walking down the street and him take off running."

The Housing Authority maintains housing officer Lt. Erik Reeves shot O'Kelley because he refused to drop his gun.  But it's a story Duncan still doesn't buy.

"When they officer yell shots fired, why we don't see that part," asked Duncan.  "I just have a lot of questions and I need answers becauase my baby gone."

At a news conference Tuesday, CHA wouldn't say if O'Kelley's gun was found near his body, only that preliminary autopsy reports show O'Kelley was shot in the back, and that's consistent with the officer's story.

"O'Kelley turned to run and as he was turning he pointed up his left hand and pointed directly at Lt. Reeves," explained CHA Police Chief Felix Vess. "Mr.  O'Kelley was a moving target."

But Duncan disagrees, saying the officer should be held to a higher standard.  "It's bad to say this, but if somebody walking out here on the street had killed my son, I don't think I would be as hurt," said Duncan.  "But this is somebody that was trained to carry a weapon and now my baby dead."

Duncan tells Eyewitness News she's in the process of hiring an attorney, and she plans to take legal action against the Chattanooga Housing Authority.  In the meantime, she's preparing for her son's funeral.  Visitation is Thursday night, with the funeral set for 1 p.m. Friday at Franklin Funeral Home on McCallie Avenue.

UPDATED 11:00 PM

Eyewitness News has obtained video from a surveillance camera at the East Lake Courts.  The video shows O'Kelley Junior, in the red shirt, walking with another juvenile along 4th Avenue. 

Seconds later a black Durango pulls changes lanes and, while the surveillance video doesn't show it, the Chattanooga Police Department says O'Kelley fires at the vehicle.

The video shows what happened next, the two teens are seen running.  From another camera, Lt. Eric Reeves is running, apparantly towards the two teens.  Lt. Reeves then shouts commands. 

Reeves:"Shots fired. 4th Avenue. Black Male. Get down on the ground."

Dispatcher: "All units head that way."

Lt. Reeves said the juvenile with O'Kelley obeyed and got down on the ground, but O'Kelley did not.  Reeves said O'Kelley raised his weapon and that is when Reeves said he fired.

Chattanooga Police say the audio clips obtained from the radio traffic are consistent with the statement of Lt. Reeves and eyewitnesses on the scene.

UPDATED 3PM MONDAY

Channel 3 Eyewitness News has received a copy of the Medical Examiner's report that indicated 15-year-old Alonzo O'Kelley Junior died from a single gunshot wound to the back.

UPDATE 5PM FRIDAY

Lauren Brown
Eyewitness News Reporter

CHATTANOOGA (WRCB) -- Eyewitness News spent Friday making calls and canvassing the Eastlake Courts neighborhood to uncover new details in the shooting death of 15 year old Alonzo O'Kelley Junior.

The teen was shot and killed Wednesday night by a housing authority officer who claims the boy was armed.

Alonzo O'Kelley Junior's family says they can't even walk down this street anymore after the fifteen year old was shot to death by a Chattanooga Housing Authority officer.

Now they just want answers as to what happened wednesday night.

"It's just hurting, it's hard to deal with right now," said Jeramie Lamont Hawthorne, O'Kelley's brother.

"We can't do nothing to bring him back it's over with you know what I'm saying," said Dominique Harper, O'Kelley's brother.

Harper says he watched as his youngest brother Alonzo O'Kelley Junior was shot to death by a Chattanooga Housing Authority police officer.

"It was just hard man just watching my little brother suffer like that," said Harper.

During a press conference, Chattanooga Housing Authority Police Chief Felix Vess says the officer saw the fifteen year old with a gun, and when the teen didn't drop the weapon, the officer opened fire.   But Harper says that's not how it happened.

"My little brother threw the gun, turned, and ran before he turned the corner to the main road by the building he shot him, he fired like five shots," said Harper.

Harper says he was right next to his brother after the shots were fired but says he didn't see a weapon anywhere close to where the teen fell.

"When I was right there laying with my brother on the ground I didn't see no weapon by him, the weapon was like fifty yards away, way down in a field and he died by the main road," said Harper.

Jeramie Lamont Hawthorne, O'Kelley's other brother, says he saw him in hospital and remembers exactly where the gunshot wounds were.

"They say he got shot in the chest but no I ain't seen no shots in the chest I seen the shot right here where like if he were running he hit him right here," said Hawthorne.

When asked if the teen was shot in the back Chief Vess said that's not true but didn't offer any more details on Thursday.

The autopsy is finished for Alonzo O'Kelley Junior but the medical examiner has not filed his report.   We were told to contact police about it.   Chief Felix Vess with the Chattanooga Housing Authority police department says investigators are still reviewing it as well as surveillance video from Wednesday night.   They will release more information when the investigation is finished.

UPDATE 5PM THURSDAY

Chattanooga (WRCB) -- "I seen it all the way from my door and the officer was closer to the boy than I was"

Kim Hill along and Colia Preston say they both watched Wednesday night as a Chattanooga Housing Authority officer fired at 15 year old Alonzo O'Kelley Junior.

They also say the teen did have a gun in his hand at one point but dropped it before the officer started shooting.

"The boy he was turned to the officer but once he seen the officer coming towards him he turned around and started running,"

That's when they say the 15 year old dropped the gun and that's when they say Lieutenant Erik Reeves seen here in a previous Eyewitness News story last month opened fire.

"The officer fired at least four to five shots at the boy,"

Housing Authority Police Chief Felix Vess says "Keep in mind his suspect already dropped his gun back here he wasn't no longer armed and his back was to the officer and the officer still fired off five rounds and hit the man."

Not true says Chief Vess who told us during a press conference the teen was not shot four times.

"Right now the investigation is going on as soon as we can release the rest of the information we will."

Nor would he confirm where the 15 year old was shot.

"The placement of his shots that's gonna come out furthermore,"

11AM WEDNESDAY

Chattanooga (WRCB) - Chattanooga Police say a gun-holding suspect has died after being shot by a Chattanooga Housing Authority Officer in East Lake Courts.  The Housing Authority officer told police he was responding to a disorder call at 4th Avenue and East 25th Street when he spotted a man holding a gun.  According to police, the Housing Authority Officer asked the man multiple times to put down his gun and when he didn't the officer fired at him.

"We have officers working with witnesses on the scene to establish that person's id.  Right now we have not confirmed his id," says Sgt. Jerri Weary of the Chattanooga Police Department. 

A juvenile is being held for questioning, he is thought to be an eyewitness.  Stay with Eyewitness News for more as this story develops.