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Digging Deeper Into Police Involved Shooting

4,072 views · Published 22 August 2012 · 2:05 · Indexed 4 November 2026

Channel: WTVC NewsChannel 9 · 2012 · News & Politics

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by John Pless  It appears the lure of easy money is behind the deadly turn of events in East Brainerd early Tuesday morning.    Chattanooga Police said they had no choice but to shoot the man pointing a gun at them when they foiled his attempt to rob drug dealers.According to what we've learned from police and the courts this is another tragic example of just how dangerous the illegal drug trade is in quiet neighborhoods like Florida Street.The neighborhood was in shock Tuesday morning, witnessing the deadly combination of guns, greed and drugs now under investigation by dozens of city and federal officers.Chattanooga Police said Ronald Wright and Kevin Williams came to a house with a shotgun and the intent to take the drugs and cash they knew where inside.Chattanooga Police Chief Bobby Dodd said "a witness across the street said the two suspects approached the front of the house and kicked the door in."After police arrived they said Wright pointed the shotgun at them as he tried to bail out of a back window. They returned fire --  Wright didn't make it out alive.Neighbor Serge Castlebary said "I was real confused at first and I was like oh that's gunshots, someone is shooting and real fast."Neighbor Dennis Flippin added "it's a little shocking in this area, everything is pretty quiet here."Five men aged 18-24 were inside -- Adam Vogelmeier, Logan Naff, Taylor Worley, Austin Schmucker and Michael Keesler. Williams came out with them and surrendered after the shooting.According to his statement to police Williams admitted the intent to was rob the young men inside. He said he had a shotgun and it was his job to hold the occupants at gunpoint while Wright collected pill bottles and a cell phone.Williams said police foiled their attempt to take more.Some of the neighbors said they often wondered what the young men did for a living because it seemed like they were not working. They said when the police came to search the house they also came to a house next door and they removed several items from that house. But we only know what they found in Adam Vogelmeier, a convicted felon according to police, and Logan Naff's house. The arrest report shows police found a large gun safe with ,982 in cash inside along with jars of marijuana, 369 pills including OxyContin, morphine and hydrocodone. They also found six guns, ammo and drug-sale-stuff like baggies, drug ledgers and scales. There was also identification showing it was Vogelmeier's safe. The report shows he gave officers the combination when they wanted to open it.After learning more about the events Flippin said "I usually leave my door unlocked and now I guess I have to lock my door."Wednesday afternoon police arrested a third person involved with the home-invasion style robbery. 32-year-old Emory Jackson is charged with facilitation of a felony.The four Chattanooga Police officers who shot Wright are on leave with pay which is standard procedure as the investigation unfolds. The autopsy report on Wright could be available Thursday.In the meantime federal authorities are taking a closer look into the illegal drug business that city officers found inside the Florida Street house.

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