On Aug. 11, 2023, Chattanooga (TN) Police made contact with a man described by authorities as a felon, drug dealer, and gang member at a Speedway gas station. The contact ended with one officer wounded, the suspect Roger Heard Jr. fatally shot, and some in the Chattanooga community demanding answers.
Suspect Killed by Police at TN Gas Station Shot at Officer from Point Blank Range
DA Coty Wamp’s statement that accompanied the video said Heard fired “multiple shots at point blank range” at an officers before police fired on him.

Chattanooga Police Officer Celtain Batterson approaches the suspect's SUV. Batterson was shot in the arm during the incident.
Hamilton County DA's Office
The Hamilton County DA’s Officer provided those answers Sunday, releasing video footage of the incident captured by the gas station’s camera. The officers were not wearing body cameras.
DA Coty Wamp’s statement that accompanied the video said Heard fired “multiple shots at point blank range” at an officers before police fired on him.
The video shows an officer, identified as Celtain Batterson making first contact with Heard while the suspect sat in his SUV with the windows rolled up. The video shows Batterson opening the door to the SUV and the suspect kicking the door open violently while firing at Batterson.
Heard shot investigator Celtain Batterson, striking him in his right arm, according to Wamp. Batterson was later taken to a hospital.
Investigators were at the Speedway gas station after receiving credible information about Heard's location, Wamp said, and that he would be "participating in illegal drug transactions." Police observed him parked at the pump and approached him to serve the outstanding warrants and arrest him, Times Free Press reports.
"As Batterson approaches, Heard can be seen reaching for an object — what we now know to be a firearm — with his right arm," Wamp's release said.
"Batterson attempted to open the suspect's vehicle door and at that time the suspect made a kicking movement in Batterson's direction, raised his right arm and fired multiple shots at point blank range in Batterson's direction, striking him in the right arm," the release said. "Batterson instantly retreated before being able to respond with gunfire."
Heard was fatally shot when he ran from the vehicle.
More Special Units
How One Police Department Cut Crime by 46% with Smarter Patrol Management
Discover how one police department cut crime nearly in half using smarter patrol data. This whitepaper breaks down the real-world strategy behind a 46% drop in vehicle thefts, improved officer safety, and stronger community visibility.
Read More →
Is Your Duty Holster Duty Rated?
The first – and worst – time I had to fight to keep my gun, my holster and duty belt held up far better than my training did.
Read More →
Ohio’s Statewide Drone First Responder Program to Take Flight
Over the next two years, the Ohio DFR Pilot Program will equip municipalities with advanced drone systems, deliver comprehensive training for first responders, and enable FAA-approved Beyond Visual Line of Sight operations.
Read More →
Louisiana Motor Sergeant Dies from Injuries Suffered in June “Intentional” Crash
A motor officer, Sgt. Caleb Eisworth was on his way to participate in a funeral escort when he was struck by another vehicle.
Read More →
Tennessee Officers Say Man Tried to Detonate IED During Arrest
Inside the bedroom officers found what they believed to be an IED. The officers evacuated the house and called for the Chattanooga Police Bomb Squad and ATF agents.
Read More →
Florida School Officer Dies After On-Duty Medical Emergency
Sergeant Greg Graff was “preparing school leaders for the upcoming year during a safety training program at Clearwater High School,” the school district said.
Read More →
Grenade is Missing from Explosion That Killed 3 LASD Deputies
ATF Special Agent in Charge Kenny Cooper said definitively that only one grenade detonated at the facility on July 18.
Read More →
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Names Deputies Lost in Friday Explosion
LASD said Detective Joshua Kelley-Eklund, Detective Victor Lemus, and Detective William Osborn who were all assigned to Special Enforcement Bureau’s Arson Explosives Detail were killed in the incident.
Read More →
Maryland State Police Helicopter Rescues Victim from Overturned Boat in Chesapeake Bay
The Maryland State Police Aviation Command Trooper 7 crew, the MSP helicopter based in California, Maryland, were monitoring the county dispatch radio, overheard the dispatch, and self-launched.
Read More →3 Los Angeles County Deputies Killed in Explosion Friday Morning
At press time the names of the deputies had not been released. Sheriff Robert Luna said one had served for 19 years, another for 22 years, and another for 33 years.
Read More →
