South Chattanooga stabbing victim identified
Shortly before 2 A.M. Friday, police were dispatched to a home in the 4000 block of Hooker Road to investigate a stabbing. When officer entered the residence, they found Evans dead. She was reportedly stabbed multiple times.
They also found Gerald Nelson, 24, who was outside the residence.
According to police, Nelson suffered from non-life threatening injures related to the stabbing.
Investigators have confirmed to News 12 that Nelson is the prime suspect in the case. He is currently being detained and questioned by police at a local hospital while he recovers from his injuries. Investigators told News 12 they are trying to determine the relationship between Evans and Nelson. [A picture of Nelson is located under slideshow images]
News 12 spoke to Delphine Jones. She’s known Evans for nine years as both a neighbor and close friend; a friend whom she just spoke to only hours before the stabbing.
"I was shocked. I couldn’t believe it," Jones said.
She said she was shocked because Evans was a very well known neighbor on the block.
"I don’t understand why someone had to kill her," Jones said.
Jones said she will never forget how she learned of her friends tragedy.
"I was on my porch and said something isn’t right. I got off my porch and walked up to to see what was going on. Police told me she murdered. I just couldn’t believe it. I broke down and cried," Jones said.
But she wasn’t the only friend of Evans who was impacted by the tragedy. Another close friend of Evans who asked not to be identified arrived in front of the home to pay her respects. The brought pictures of her and Evans together as well as flowers and candles to create a makeshift memorial.
"I can’t believe this has happened to her," the woman said.
She also told News 12 that Evans was always fond of her dog.
"She loved her dog. Her dog was killed also," the woman said.
Ellene Collier was also a close friend and neighbor of Evans who brought flowers to the memorial site.
"It’s so touching and so heartbreaking to find out that we lost another wonderful person in our neighborhood. It saddens me very much," Collier said. She and another neighbor further explained why Evans was such a likable neighbor.
"She was different. She was special. She was quiet and fun."
As Chattanooga police continue to investigate the fatal stabbing, they are trying to find witnesses who might have additional information.
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