Neighbor says suspect in Monday’s shooting was a ‘gentle giant’ | Local news

Local 3 News learns more about John Schultz, the suspect in Monday’s shooting near Hamilton Place Mall.

Lisa Skinner, a longtime neighbor of John Schultz, said she didn’t really get to know Schultz until her husband died in 2012. She said Schultz made a special effort to introduce himself and told her to let him know if she ever needed anything.

According to police, Schultz, 67, was an employee of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Air Pollution Control Office.

According to police, Schultz, 67, was an employee of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Air Pollution Control Office.

“I called him a gentle giant because I knew that’s what he was to me. He was very kind. One time I rescued his dog and he cried, hugged me and called me an angel. I said, ‘No, I’m only human,’ he said, ‘but you saved my animal and that touched me,'” Skinner said.

Skinner said she was joking with Schultz about one of her animals not long ago.

“I have a big potbellied pig myself and people might think this is weird but I have a big animal and I would say, John, you know, if Whooper dies, it’s going to take an army. He’s a big boy and we’re going to need the help of a few people and he said I’m just down the road,” Skinner said.

When Skinner learned of the incidents on Monday, she could hardly comprehend it, she said.

“I don’t know what happened to him to make that happen, but whatever happened, I’m thankful he didn’t get to hurt anyone. I thank God for that, because I believe God is in control, and I’m thankful that lives were saved. And third, of course, I’m sad that he took his life. I was sad that he took his life,” Skinner said.

According to Chattanooga police, suspect John Schultz attempted to shoot several colleagues, but the gun misfired and did not fire a shot.

According to police, other employees separated from the suspect and fled. Schultz then shot himself with a second weapon.