Chris Wright
A prominent Chattanooga businessman was shot and killed in downtown Chattanooga late Thursday night.
Chattanooga Police on Friday afternoon arrested 57-year-old Darryl Roberts for the homicide of Christopher Wright. Chattanooga Police Department's Fugitive Unit, along with federal partners from the United States Marshals Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives observed Roberts in a vehicle in the Brainerd area. They followed him until marked police vehicles were able to assist with a traffic stop. CPD's Neighborhood Policing officers assisted with initiating a traffic stop in the 500 block of Tunnel Boulevard. Roberts was arrested for outstanding warrants related to the homicide.
Roberts is in custody at the Hamilton County Jail and Detention Center. He is charged with first-degree murder. Police said Roberts fatally shot Mr. Wright, following an argument in the 1000 block of Market Street. At 11:51 p.m., officers responded to a shots fired call that was upgraded to a person shot. When officers arrived, they found the 38-year-old victim with a life-threatening gunshot wound.
Chattanooga Fire and Hamilton County EMS responded to the scene. The victim died from his injuries.
Police reviewed video of the incident and said Roberts was in a red shirt and dark-colored pants talking to another man near a stairwell at Patten Towers. They said the video showed Chris Wright walk past the two men, then turn back to talk to them. He then walked away from them about 30 feet south, then again turned toward them but did not approach them.
Roberts then walked toward Chris Wright, produced a gun, and shot him in the head at close range. The victim fell to the ground.
A witness said the two were in a verbal dispute, then Roberts walked toward the victim, put the gun to his head, and pulled the trigger.
Friends said the victim was downtown for a Baylor School reunion. They said he is also a Yale graduate and the father of three young children.
Mr. Wright was a principal with Ben Brown in the Alderman Enterprises investment group.
Roberts has an extensive criminal record for assault, disorderly conduct, theft, traffic offenses and gun charges.
Witnesses said the shooter was a man known as "Too Tall." He was identified as Darryl Roberts and was picked from a photo lineup as the shooter.
Chattanooga Police ask anyone with information regarding this incident to call the Homicide Tip Line at 423-543-5100.
Darryl Roberts