In the autumn of 2014, the life of a young man from Chattanooga, Tennessee, was tragically cut short. Apprentice Dequan Berry, a 20-year-old male, was fatally shot on the night of Monday, October 20, 2014. The violent incident occurred at the Woodlawn Apartments on Wilson Street, where he sustained multiple gunshot wounds. He was rushed to Erlanger Hospital, but sadly, succumbed to his injuries.
At the hospital, a large and emotional crowd of Berry's family and friends gathered.
Tensions escalated, leading to a confrontation with police officers. The situation grew volatile, and pepper spray was reportedly used to control the crowd. In the midst of the turmoil, four individuals were arrested, including Akeyllya Berry, the victim's sister. She later alleged that she was struck in the face and tased by an officer who also used racial slurs. An investigation into the incident at the hospital was subsequently launched by the police department.
Apprentice Dequan Berry was born on November 28, 1993, and was a 2012 graduate of Hixson High School. He had been employed by Amazon. His passing was mourned by a large family, including his parents, grandparents, and numerous siblings.
Despite the public nature of his death and the ensuing events, online sources available in the years following the shooting do not contain information regarding any arrests or the identification of a suspect in his murder. The case of who shot and killed Apprentice Dequan Berry appears to have gone cold, leaving his family and community without answers or a sense of justice for his untimely death. His name is listed among the unsolved homicides in Chattanooga.
