Tennessee Police Raid Poker Game, Gunfire Ensues

Police in Tennessee raided a poker game at the ATC Healthcare Center in Chattanooga and shot a man after he pulled a gun on the police officers.

WRCB TV in Tennessee reports that a two month investigation preceded the raid and that once the actual bust occurred, caterer Clifford Billups pulled a gun on officers. Police investigator John Patterson returned fire, hitting Billups three times. The suspect was taken to the hospital but not detained at the time.

However, now Billups is facing charges of attempted murder, aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon, and felony reckless endangerment. Previously Billups had been charged with aggravated statutory rape and assault, for which he is supposed to appear in court on May 16th.

Police claim that more than 20 people attended the illegal poker games, with more than $100,000 being moved across the tables on some nights. Buy ins were reportedly $1,000. Players captured in the raid will face misdemeanor charges.

28 year old Dale Roesel, a player at the illegal game said that he thought the game was being robbed, as it had been in the past. Police who conducted the raid were wearing plain clothes and reportedly offered few warnings that they were law enforcement.