Shootings at Chattanooga army recruiting center, Bradley Square Mall, officer 'down'

A string of shootings is being reported across East Tennessee today.

A police officer has been shot at 6219 Lee Hwy. in Chattanooga. The shooting is at an army recruiting center. The officer was transported to Erlanger hospital.

A search is underway in the surrounding area. The local SWAT and five ambulances are responding at this time. Amnicola Highway is shut down at this time. Chattanooga State Community College is on lockdown. Six ambulances have arrived at the Erlanger emergency room. A statement is expected shortly. The Erlanger emergency department is on lockdown as well.

The 6219 Lee Hwy. shooting is an army recruiting center. Radio traffic indicates shots fired at other recruiting centers in Southeast Tennessee. Stan Clark, head of Bradley County EMS, confirms a report of shots fired at Bradley Square Mall. Emergency crews are on the way.

Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke cut short a press conference this morning on a business-related matter, telling reporters than an officer "was down" as well as the shooting suspect.

"This is a very, very terrible situation," he said at City Hall. "I'm very concerned about what's going on. We need to figure out how to handle it."

Another just pulled up without its lights on to Erlanger. They just pulled curtains closed ver the ER entrance. CEO Kevin Spiegel is outside on the scene. They're working on the man in the ambulance.

"I don't know more," said the mayor as he rapidly exited the Third Floor conference room.

At the same time, there has been a separate shooting at 6219 Lee Hwy. in Chattanooga. One person was shot in the leg in that incident.

Red Bank, Collegedale, Hamilton County and Chattanooga police departments are responding.

The Times Free Press is at the scene.  Bradley Square Mall is locked down in Cleveland.