Chattanooga teen facing charges for shooting at group he was fighting in Hamilton Place Mall

From Local 3 News: A Chattanooga teen who police say shot himself in the foot while firing at a group he was fighting with at the Hamilton Place Mall is now facing multiple charges.

Police were called to Dick's Sporting Goods after receiving reports of an active shooter Saturday afternoon, according to an arrest report obtained by Local 3 News.

Employees told officers that someone shot themselves while shooting at a group of guys he was fighting with inside the store, then fled the scene.

Officers found blood on the floor aligning with this story as they secured the scene.

After shots were fired, mall shoppers went into a mass panic. Clothing racks were knocked over, people dropped their belongings while running away, and one man even armed himself with a golf club in case he encountered the shooter.

Meanwhile, 18-year-old Jaylynn Gerald drove himself to the Erlanger East Hospital, throwing a gun later discovered to be stolen underneath a car, according to the affidavit. He left a trail of blood in the parking lot.

Once Gerald showed up to Erlanger East, they transported him to Erlanger Main downtown due to the severity of his injuries.

The hospital notified police, who secured his car as evidence.

Detectives spoke with more Dick's employees and reviewed security camera footage inside the store.

They say a group followed Gerald through the mall, and as he was leaving, he got into a verbal and physical altercation.

A witness told police that the suspect yelled "Are we doing this?" as he made his way toward the group.

A man in a tan sweatsuit is seen on camera making initial physical contact as others join in, pushing him to the floor.

Police say his assailants then start to suddenly run away in a panic as Gerald pulls a gun out and shot towards them through an open door to the parking lot.

One of the three shots landed in Gerald's foot.

Officers, who found shell casings and the gun that was thrown underneath a car, tried questioning him in the hospital, but he denied and requested a lawyer.

Gerald faces the following charges:

• Reckless endangerment
• Theft of property (stolen firearm)
• Possessing a firearm with intent to go armed
• Inciting a riot

More charges are pending for other individuals involved, but they fled before officers could arrest them.

Gerald is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday, December 3.