Kevin Albert

Kevin Montell Albert Jr. was a young man with a future that seemed full of promise. At 19 years old, the Chattanooga, Tennessee native was a recent graduate of Brainerd High School, where football had been a significant part of his life. His talent on the field had earned him a full-ride scholarship to play for Arkansas Baptist College. Though he had returned home to Chattanooga just a few weeks before his death, his family and friends remembered him as someone who was "full of life with a lot of potential." His obituary celebrated a "bright future ahead of him." Kevin, a Black man, was also a member of Olivet Baptist Church.

On the night of Tuesday, September 29, 2015, that bright future was violently extinguished. Residents in the Brainerd area near Missionary Ridge heard a barrage of what some initially mistook for fireworks. One witness recalled hearing at least 15 to 18 shots from what sounded like two different guns. Around 11 p.m., Chattanooga Police responded to the 3100 block of Rosemont Drive. There, in the roadway, they found Kevin Albert, who had been shot multiple times. He was pronounced dead at the scene. An eyewitness reported seeing two individuals push a third person out of a car before shooting him and driving away.

The Chattanooga Police Department immediately launched a homicide investigation. Police Chief Fred Fletcher stated that investigators did not believe the killing was a random act of violence and that it was likely Kevin knew his assailants. Authorities announced they were searching for a red, four-door sedan that a witness saw fleeing the scene. Chief Fletcher also stated that Kevin was a validated member of the Rollin' 40 Crips street gang and that his death was likely gang-related. This assertion was disputed by his family, who maintained he was not involved in gang activity. While police acknowledged his status as a "validated gang member," they also noted they had no intelligence that he was directly involved in specific violent acts.

Kevin's death marked the 22nd homicide in Chattanooga that year, matching the total for all of the previous year. The killing deeply affected the community and those who knew him. His friend, Courtney Evans, also a 19-year-old Brainerd High graduate, was so moved by the loss of Kevin and others to gun violence that she wrote a song and created a music video titled "Put the Guns Down." The video, which gained thousands of views online, was a plea to her peers to end the bloodshed and featured others who had lost loved ones.

In the days following the murder, Kevin's family and friends gathered to mourn their loss. His funeral was held the following Tuesday at Olivet Baptist Church, where he had been a member. The investigation into his killing continued, with police urging anyone with information to come forward. Chief Fletcher made a public appeal, stating, "There are friends, family, acquaintances of Mr. Albert who have information about his behavior in the hours and days before this that are important to this investigation." He also addressed the city's gang violence, sending a message: "We will help you if you let us, we will stop you if you make us."

As of the latest reports from October 2015, the investigation into the murder of Kevin Albert remains open and unsolved. No arrests have been made, and no suspects have been publicly identified. The Chattanooga Police Department continues to ask for the public's help in bringing those responsible to justice. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the department, and anonymous tips can be submitted by calling 423-698-2525.