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CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee -(WDEF) Police have arrested Cortney Birt,18, of Chattanooga and charged him with criminal homicide in connection to the shooting death of Lemonte Williams, 16, of Chattanooga.
The Howard High School student was found shot to death late Tuesday morning inside a home on the 2600 block of Carr St.
A neighbor identified as Willie McGahee said he heard four gun shots.
"That's all I heard was them shots; walked out here saw two guys cross the street and start running," said McGahee.
Birt has a criminal record that includes possession of a deadly weapon, reckless endangerment, assault, aggravated burglary and driving on a revoked license.
A family member identified as Muriel Jones told WDEF that her nephew was chased from Howard High to a nearby home where he was fatally shot. She also said the shooting was the result of an recent physical alteration that occurred at Howard High involving Williams, a female student and another male.
"He told them he was going to kill Lemonte. He went to the school Friday looking for Lemonte,"said his aunt.
Howard High School was put on lock down as a precaution after witnesses said they saw two suspects running toward the school. Once the all clear was given, the lock down was lifted and school was dismissed for the rest of the day.
Police are actively searching for a second suspect.
