Death by Cop 2021-2025
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Roger Sylvester Heard, Jr.
Age : 34
Gender : Male
Race : Black
Date : 08/11/2023
Location : Speedway gas station, North Holtzclaw Avenue and East 3rd Street
City : Chattanooga
County : Hamilton
State : Tennessee
Agency : Chattanooga PD
Officer(s) :Celtain Batterson, Nicholas Ayres and Christopher Dyess
Cause of Death : Gunshot
Event : Killed by police during arrest
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On 08/11/2023, at approximately 9:41 p.m., investigators with the Chattanooga Police Department's Gun Team and assisting officers went to the Speedway gas station at North Holtzclaw Avenue and East 3rd Street to serve outstanding felony warrants on 34-year-old Roger Heard Jr. Officers had received information that Heard would be at the location.
As officers approached, a gunfire exchange occurred. Investigator Celtain Batterson was struck in the right arm. Officers Celtain Batterson, Nicholas Ayres, and Christopher Dyess fired their weapons, striking Heard. He was transported to a hospital, where he died from his injuries. Batterson was treated and released. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation assumed responsibility for the shooting investigation.
On 08/20/2023, Hamilton County District Attorney Coty Wamp released surveillance video from the shooting. According to the district attorney, the video showed the encounter at the gas station and was obtained from a private business because the investigators involved were not equipped with body-worn cameras. The release followed public requests from Heard's family and community members seeking greater transparency.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation completed its investigation and submitted the findings to the Hamilton County District Attorney's Office. The district attorney concluded the officers' use of deadly force was justified under Tennessee law, and no criminal charges were filed against the officers.
Following the shooting, members of Heard's family and the Chattanooga-Hamilton County NAACP called for additional public disclosure and attended Chattanooga City Council meetings requesting release of investigative information.
SOURCE LINKS :
https://www.wdef.com/man-dies-after-police-chase-on-rossville-boulevard/
