(WBIR) Following a gang-related shooting in Knoxville Saturday night killing 12-year-old Jajuan Latham, Chattanooga has seen a string of nine shootings in four days.
Chattanooga police said in a press conference on Tuesday afternoon that the majority of these shootings have been related to gang violence.
"This is perhaps the most violent four days this city has experienced since I've been here," said Chattanooga Police Chief Fred Fletcher.
Two pregnant women are among the victims in these shootings, as well as a 17-year-old who was fatally shot in the face.
"The violence we are experiencing seems to be directly connected to a pre-existing inter-gang beef," Fletcher said.
Fletcher said the Chattanooga Police Department will use every resource necessary to stop these violent acts.
Knoxville Police Chief David Rausch has made similar statements toward gang members since Saturday night's shooting at Danny Mayfield Park.
Despite a number of shootings happening across East Tennessee in the same week, Jim Quick, an investigator with KPD's gang intelligence unit, said gang activity in Knoxville is not on the rise.
"This child got killed over the weekend, that's what brings it to the forefront," Quick said. "I think gang violence has been the same for about the last 20 years that I've worked this."
One of the few connections between Knoxville and Chattanooga gangs came in November 2013 when Jack Hutchins, a Knoxville father of eight, was shot to death by gang members who police said traveled here from Chattanooga.
Quick said these instances are rare.
"While we do have connections with Chattanooga and Knoxville," he said. "We don't see their gangs coming up here and taking over our areas."
Quick said the gangs in Knoxville have evolved over the years, and law enforcement is constantly adapting to be able to track the members. For instance, he said one group may have worn red and one wore blue, but now it's not as easy to spot a gang member simply by the clothing they wear so KPD also uses social media profiles to connect members.
"We're actually keeping our nose and ears to the ground that way maybe we can hear about stuff before it happens, and maybe we can stop it," Quick said.