Another week like this one and Chattanooga may get a reputation as a "one a day murder city."
It isn't quite that bad, but there seems to be an increase in deadly shootings lately.
Some are asking: who's in the line of fire, and who could be next?
Tonight we look for a pattern to the violence.
Crime tape, concerned neighbors, sometimes blood on the street or shell casings.
That's about all you may find after another violent death.
There have been dozens of such incidents over the last few months in Chattanooga.....
Families cry out to stop it---and leaders vow to do what they can.
ANDY BERKE, MAYOR ELECT "The violence in our city is unacceptable, it has to change." "I am tuned in and making sure that we do something about it."
The city has begun an all-out effort as you know with the Gang Task Force.
It's comprehensive plan is not ready to launch yet.
But in seeking answers to what's happening in the Scenic city right now, the simple answer may be---there is no simple answer.
BOYD PATTERSON, DIR., GANG TASK FORCE "Even with this recent uptick in violent instances we've had in the last week or so...we have to focus on what we can control." BUMP " 01:56:47 "you'll never be able to have enough police officers to stand on every spot and prevent every crime."
Many Chattanoogans used social media to express their thoughts.
These are tweets following the latest murder.
Victoria Gates says "Why Chattanooga, why more death. Put your guns away and deal with each other like adults..not scared thugs hiding behind guns."
Tough Teddy Bear writes "I don't want to raise a family in Chattanooga."
ANDY BERKE "We had 25 murders last year..8 of which were gang related..that's a serious gang problem."
And, the new mayor says he wants to expand those efforts to cover all kinds of crime.
Both Patterson and Berke point out, the reasons for crimes of violence at many and not all of them are gang related.
That's why it may be harder to stop.
