Chattanooga police arrest suspect tied to Dodds Avenue shooting
Roberto Mejia-Chalate
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Police have arrested a suspect in connection to a shots fired incident on Dodds Avenue a few months ago.
The incident occurred on April 27, 2025, in the 2300 block of Dodds Avenue.
The Chattanooga Police Department (CPD) says the incident resulted in extensive property damage.
Several bystanders’ vehicles and nearby buildings were struck by gunfire.
Upon further investigation, CPD identified the suspects vehicle as a Black Chrysler 300.
On May 10, 2025, an officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle matching that description.
The driver of the vehicle fled, but crashed shortly after.
The three occupants in the vehicle attempted to flee on foot, but were apprehended by CPD.
Officers searched the area and recovered two firearms along with identification of the suspect.
CPD’s Gun Team confirmed the firearm in the suspect’s possession during the May 10 traffic stop, was the same firearm used in the Dodds Avenue incident.
Police arrested 19-year-old Roberto Mejia-Chalate.
He is being charged with the following:
- Aggravated Assault (3 counts)
- Vandalism (2 counts)
- Reckless Endangerment
Chalate was already in custody at the Hamilton County Jail and Detention Center.
According to the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office‘s website, Chalate was already in custody facing three counts of first degree murder.
