One dead and one left paralyzed after shooting in East Ridge
Jontae Duckett | Courtesy: Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office
EAST RIDGE, Tenn. (WDEF) — A 19-year-old is being charged with murder after a shooting in East Ridge a few months ago.
On August 25, 2025, at 3:09 p.m., officers with the East Ridge Police Department (ERPD) were dispatched to 5700 Roper Street in response to a reported shooting.
The caller described hearing multiple gunshots and saw two males fleeing the area.
According to the affidavit, when officers arrived they were directed to the “L” building, where they found two white males in the stairway.
One was on the middle landing of the stairs, unresponsive, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the head.
The other was found on the second floor next to the stairs, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
When EMS arrived on scene, they confirmed the victim with the head wound was deceased.
EMS transported the other victim to Erlanger Hospital in critical condition.
Medical personnel determined he was shot four times.
At the time of the affidavit, he was suffering paralysis from the waist down, otherwise he is in stable condition.
A maintenance employee at the apartment complex said they saw two black males walking up to a parked car outside of the “L” building.
Two white males were inside the car at the time of the incident.
Gunshots were heard, and the employee saw the black males running from the building, carrying a backpack.
They fled the area in a black car which was found to belong to Duckett’s associate, who was named in the affidavit.
While waiting to obtain search warrants, patrol units were stationed at the apartments where the suspects supposedly lived.
A family member had returned home to one of the apartments, and was informed of what was happening.
The family member told police that they were related to one of the suspects, who had been living with them in the apartment since December of 2024.
The suspect was identified as Jontae Duckett.
ERPD detectives spoke with the paralyzed victim at the hospital.
The victim stated he was at the location to meet with the other suspect to perform a drug transaction.
He also said that he had worked with the suspect before at Red Robin.
The victim was supposed to sell 1.5 pounds of marijuana for $1,450 to Duckett and his associate.
After the victims followed them up the stairs, Duckett’s associate had demanded the marijuana from the two white males, grabbing onto the backpack the drugs were brought in.
Upon resisting, Duckett’s associate drew a firearm and shot three to four times.
In response, Duckett also drew a firearm and started shooting.
One of the victims attempted to draw their firearm, but dropped it instantly.
Based on the affidavit, it’s believed that Duckett and his associate had planned to rob them at gunpoint.
Duckett has been arrested as of October 6, and charged with:
- FIRST DEGREE MURDER
- ESPECIALLY AGGRAVATED ROBBERY
The ERPD is still attempting to locate the other suspect.
