Police arrest suspect in Bonny Oaks shooting in December

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Chattanooga Police have made an arrest in a Bonny Oaks shooting. This was the last homicide of 2017.

Officers say they found 20-year-old Evan Derry shot inside a Tahoe that had wrecked.

He was transported to the hospital where he died from his injuries.

Derry was from Franklin, TN, but was back and forth from there and Chattanooga.

Police say that Evan and another male were meeting the suspect 22-year-old Terrance Lewis for a drug deal.

Sgt. Miller says, “What played a role mostly in this arrest is the support from our community members why immediately provided information through the homicide unit tip line and that goes directly to our investigators.”

Investigators that Chattanooga Police Sgt. Victor Miller says worked tirelessly to solve the December 28th shooting death of Evan Derry.

Police say Derry along with another person went to meet the now homicide suspect Terrance Lewis for a drug transaction on North Bishop Drive.

Tips led police to believe they were meeting to provide 16 lbs of marijuana to Terrance Lewis.

Police responded to the scene and found the victim unconscious. Derry was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Through the investigation, police determined that the Derry and his passenger were maced before the passenger fled.

“He continued to flee away from the vehicle at which time multiple gunshots were heard. Evan attempted the flee in his vehicle and he was shot,” Sgt. Miller says.

Miller says there are 3 other suspects wanted for questioning, but there isn’t a detailed description available. Lewis is charged with Homicide as well as especially aggravated robbery.

Sgt. Miller says, “No matter what the circumstances are or the victim’s background… every life is important to us and every person killed has friends or family members that care about them.”

This was the 33rd homicide in Chattanooga.

Funeral arrangements have been set for a victim who attended UTC.

Derry’s family says a celebration of life service is planned for tomorrow at 2 p.m. at St. Philip’s Catholic Church in Franklin. In lieu of flowers, the family requested donations to the Evan Derry Scholarship Fund at Battle Ground Academy in Franklin, Tennessee.