Brothers found guilty in Chattanooga drive-by shooting spree

Jury convicts two brothers on different charges after coordinating attacks on three homes, resulting in a man's murder

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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A Hamilton County jury found two brothers guilty, on different charges, after they were accused of arming a gang of juveniles and coordinating a night of drive-by shootings at three houses in Chattanooga, resulting in the murder of 48-year-old Warren Crutcher.

Why it matters

The case highlights growing concerns about gang violence and the use of juveniles in coordinated criminal acts, as well as the challenges of prosecuting complex, multi-incident crimes involving multiple perpetrators.

The details

Prosecutors said Samuel Askins, 22, was found guilty of first-degree premeditated murder and other felonies, while his brother Caleb Askins, 23, was convicted of facilitation of aggravated assault and other charges. The shootings were allegedly sparked by a falling out between Samuel Askins and a woman he was dating, leading to conflict with her extended family. On the night of the attacks, Samuel Askins allegedly armed a group of juveniles, removed his GPS tracker, and coordinated a series of drive-by shootings at three homes, resulting in Crutcher's death.

  • The shootings occurred on August 23, 2023, starting around 10:22 p.m.
  • The brothers are scheduled to be sentenced on May 18.

The players

Samuel Askins

A 22-year-old man found guilty of first-degree premeditated murder and other felonies for his role in coordinating the drive-by shooting spree.

Caleb Askins

The 23-year-old brother of Samuel Askins, who was found guilty of facilitation of aggravated assault and other charges for his alleged involvement in the attacks.

Warren Crutcher

A 48-year-old man who was killed in the final drive-by shooting on Maryland Street.

Corey Palmer

A 16-year-old participant in the crimes who testified against the Askins brothers as part of a deal with prosecutors.

Paul Moyle

The prosecutor who argued the case against the Askins brothers.

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What they’re saying

“To the police, they're supposed to say that they're the East Brainerd Kids. Amongst each other, everybody killers.”

— Paul Moyle, Prosecutor (timesfreepress.com)

“There is no question that this was their plan, their plan and that they wanted to kill somebody.”

— Paul Moyle, Prosecutor (timesfreepress.com)

“It's a shiny tower of proof that is built on a foundation of mud. Mud doesn't hold. When something sinks into that mud, you can't make heads or tails of it.”

— Alex Shoaf, Public Defender for Samuel Askins (timesfreepress.com)

What’s next

The judge will decide on May 18 whether to sentence the Askins brothers to additional decades in prison beyond their murder and assault convictions.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing problem of gang violence and the use of juveniles in coordinated criminal acts, as well as the challenges prosecutors face in building complex cases involving multiple perpetrators and incidents. It raises questions about bail reform, public safety, and the need for stronger laws and interventions to address these types of crimes.