A red hoodie seems to be the trigger of a shooting in Springfield that occurred just one street over from a shooting two days earlier.
Thursday Brian Dale Castelow is believed by police to have been shot near 20th and Blair St (FULL STORY) which is just a block away from another shooting that occurred Saturday evening January 5th just one street over at the intersection of Carter St. and 21st Ave.
The victim Blake Martin and his friend Mark Hudson were coming back from One Stop market located at 2018 S Main St Springfield, TN to get a bag of ice. One Stop is just a few streets over from Mark Hudson’s home.
As Blake Martin and Mark Hudson approached Carter St on 21st they were stopped by about 10-14 youths who said they didn’t like Mark Hudson’s bright red outfit which consisted of red pants and a red hoodie. “According to them, red is a gang color but not according to me.” Mark Hudson told Smokey. “I got it at a discount in a thrift store in Clarksville. I bought it because it was warm.” Hudson replied “Man don’t worry about what I’m wearing” It was at that point one of the youths (around age 18 by Hudson’s estimate) brandished a weapon. Martin said it had a long barrel probably “A long nosed 22.”According to both Blake Martin and Mark Hudson the suspect pointed the gun at Hudson and said “Give me all your money”. This is where I would have handed over my wallet and asked if I could write out a check for anything the man with the gun felt he was short. Not Hudson; he said, “You aint gettin my money man” and with that the suspect fired his weapon two times at point blank range right at Hudson. Now under normal circumstances that would have been the end of the story and I’d be moving on to the obituary, but somehow the gun misfired, both times according to Hudson. Taking advantage of the moment of confusion Martin and Hudson began moving towards Hudson’s home.
The youths started moving the opposite direction walking backwards down 21st Ave while the suspect with the gun was trying to un-jam the weapon. As Martin and Hudson turned towards Hudson’s home they heard gunfire, about 4 or 5 shots. Then the group took off running according to Hudson. Hudson thought they missed and turned to head home thinking they were poor marksman. Then Blake Martin yelled out “I’ve been shot!” Blake Martin had been hit twice, once in the thigh and once in the foot. The round that hit his foot was more of a grazing according to Hudson. The round that hit Martin’s thigh exited near his groin. After being shot Martin entered the house and sat down on a lazy-boy recliner.
“I took his pants off cause they were all bloody. I then took off his boxers and underwear and saw where he was shot.” Hudson said. “The bullet wound was just to the right side of his (groin) area. He was moaning and groaning so I shoved some towels down there.” Then Hudson called 911.
“I was really pleased that the police and EMS got here in a heartbeat. I mean really pleased”. I called and no later than a minute or a minute and a half. I’m talking about 3 police cars and EMS.” Said Hudson.
Hudson told me that he and Martin had been friends since they were boys. I wonder if either Blake Martin and his friend Mark Hudson will realize just how lucky they were this evening in Robertson County. Hudson did tell me “It should have been me”. If the gun had not misfired Mark Hudson would probably be dead this evening, and for what? Hudson said all he had on him was $5 bucks.
The shooter is described as a black male about 5’10, slender build, 18 years of age or younger wearing blue jeans and a black hoodie.
Anyone with information, call Crime stoppers at: 615 382-3799. All information is anonymous and Crime stoppers will pay up to $1000 for information that leads to an arrest in the case. Det. Rickie Morris is assigned the case.
UPDATE: Blake Martin was later released from NorthCrest Medical Center and is expected to make a full recovery.
We are still waiting on the official report, if any new facts emerge we will provide them to you.
Jim Ball reporting January 5th 2012
UPDATE: This is the Police report from Springfield January 7th 2013
Springfield, TN- On 5 Jan 2013 Officer William Johnson was dispatched to Carter St in reference to someone being shot. On his arrival Officer Johnson located Blake Martin, 20 years of age, at XXXX Carter St and learned that he had been shot in the lower part of his body reportedly at the intersection of Carter St and 21st Ave. Officer Johnson reported that Mr. Martin told him he had been shot after an argument over clothing with a group of ten to twelve black males. Officer Johnson reported that Mr. Martin told him that one of the black males pulled the pistol and demanded money and then marijuana. Officer Johnson reported that Mr. Martin told him that he and his friend fled but the black male began firing and he was hit. Officer Johnson reported that Mr. Martin was transported to Northcrest and was treated for a gunshot wound. The victim was able to give a description of the suspect but has not at this point positively identified anyone. Detective Rickie Morris is working this case and is following up on leads.
If anyone has information concerning either of these crimes they are urged to contact Crimestoppers at (16) 382-3799. Crimestoppers will pay up to $1000 for information that leads to an arrest in either of these cases. Detectives can be reached at (615) 384-8422.
Jim Ball reporting January 7th 2013
Wow people, leveling or burning a neighborhood? I was raised on Park Dr. and Blair St. for several years as a kid and I know for a fact that not all the people living there are bad. Some of those folks have been there most of their lives and have never been trouble. And John Doe, you have no clue they were buyin dope? It clearly stated that the victim lived a street over. Dont get me wrong, there are some dangerous people around there, but how will burning or leveling a neighborhood solve that. Most of you think thats how you solve a problem, by just throwing it away. As i said not everyone there is bad, as i said i lived there for several years as a child, and just to let anyone know, im typing this from the computer in my college class.
Really think he got shot over his jacket? That’s what happens when you mess around with dope. Don’t be oblivious they were doing something they shouldn’t have and if they wouldn’t have been in the hood buying dope nobody gets shot.
No, time for people to raise their kids.
UPDATE: Smokey has received a copy of the Springfield Police report, see it at the bottom of the article.