In the late hours of a Friday night in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the life of 18-year-old Teunte Lewis Rice was tragically cut short. On September 28, 2018, the African American male was out with friends on Windsor Street when the sound of gunshots pierced the night. Rice was struck by at least one bullet and was rushed to a local hospital in a private vehicle, but his injuries proved fatal.
Known for his vibrant and free-spirited personality, Teunte was a young man who embraced life with a
passion for fashion, dancing, and cooking. A graduate of East Ridge High School, he was remembered by friends and family as someone who brought joy to those around him and was never afraid to be himself. His death sent a shockwave of grief through his community, leaving his loved ones to mourn the sudden and violent loss of a cherished son and friend.
The investigation into Teunte's murder took a swift and unexpected turn. The day after his death, another teenager was found shot to death. In a grim twist of fate, the deceased teenager was discovered holding the very gun that was used to kill Teunte Rice. This discovery led investigators to identify the second deceased teenager as the primary suspect in Teunte's homicide, bringing a close to the search for a perpetrator, but leaving many unanswered questions and a community grappling with the impact of youth violence.
