A Tennessee man is facing a criminal homicide charge after allegedly shooting and killing a rival in Chattanooga earlier this year. Demontra Collins, 34, is accused of fatally shooting 27-year-old Jamel Sutton on May 14 after seeing him installing a child’s car seat.
The Incident
The shooting occurred just before 4 p.m. on North Hickory Street when officers arrived to find Sutton suffering from gunshot wounds. Sutton was immediately rushed to the hospital but later died from his injuries.
According to police, Sutton had been securing a child’s car seat in the back of a vehicle when Collins drove by. The two men had reportedly been involved in an ongoing dispute.
Collins allegedly parked his car, walked up to Sutton, and the two men exchanged gunfire. Sutton was struck, but Collins reportedly was unharmed. After the incident, Collins drove to another location and called the police, claiming he fired in self-defense.
Testimony and Evidence
Following the shooting, a detective testified in court that Collins told police during a phone call, “I’m coming in” and that the victim “ain’t coming back.” This statement, according to the prosecution, was seen as a clear indication of intent to kill.
The confrontation between the two men reportedly began when Sutton, who had been working with Collins at a local club, picked up his girlfriend and children before driving to a home, where the shooting ultimately took place.
Sutton was in the process of adjusting the child’s car seat when Collins arrived in a white Jeep, gun in hand. Collins allegedly fired as many as 12 rounds at Sutton, who managed to return fire twice.
The police also revealed that none of the children, all under the age of 4, were injured in the shooting.
Background and Defense
Collins’ defense attorney claims that Sutton had previously pointed a gun at Collins a few days before the shooting. The defense argues that Collins believed Sutton was reaching for a weapon when he saw him in the car on the day of the shooting.
Legal Proceedings
Collins has been charged with criminal homicide, and a judge ruled that there was sufficient evidence to proceed with the case to a higher court. He was released on a $250,000 bond and is currently on house arrest as the case moves forward.
The tragic incident raises serious concerns about violence and the escalation of personal disputes. As the case continues, the court will determine whether Collins’ actions were self-defense or if he will face the full consequences of his alleged crime.
