On Thursday afternoon, East Ridge police arrested a man in the slaying of Montrell Fears on Donaldson Road in August.
According to police, Kelderick Tucker, 28, was taken into custody at 3202 Gleason Drive on a Criminal Homicide warrant. A search of the residence was conducted and police seized a resale amount of marijuana and a firearm.
Police would not comment on how they tracked Tucker to the Gleason Drive address.
On the morning of August 21 police were called to the Richwood Apartments at 912 Donaldson Road on a “person shot” call. When they arrived they found the 23-year-old Fears lying dead in the parking lot from multiple gunshot wounds.
It was later learned, police said, that Tucker was leaving the parking lot in a vehicle as police arrived.
Police said that Tucker was identified early on in the investigation as the suspect.
In late September, police arrested an individual on a single charge of Accessory after the Fact Homicide. Police believe the individual was acquainted with Tucker and that he used her car to flee the scene during the killing. That charge was later dismissed.
Officials said Tucker was taken into custody without incident. Department officials wished to thank the U.S. Marshall’s Service, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, Chattanooga Police Department and the Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in the case.
Assistant Police Chief Clint Uselton said the investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is urged to call the ERPD Confidential Tip Line at 423-867-0016.
