JAMES LEWIS

52-year old James Lewis was killed during an armed robbery inside his Brainerd Road dive shop.

It was around 5:40pm on Thursday, January 3, 2002. Lewis and a customer were the only two people inside Leisure Time Dive and Snow Ski Center when a man walked in with a gun. 

The robber ordered the two men to the floor. He cleaned out the cash register and then shot Lewis twice before leaving the store. 

Detectives aren't sure why the robber shot Lewis. The avid skier and veteran dive instructor had often told family members he believed fighting to prevent being robbed wasn't worth the risk. Life is more important than money, Lewis told his father. And Lewis' actions the afternoon he died were consistent with those words. The customer who witnessed the robbery said Lewis cooperated during the holdup and gave no resistance. 

The shooter is a black man, possibly in his 20's at the time of the murder. He's about 5'8" with a medium build and was wearing jeans, sneakers and a dark-colored waist length coat. He also had a ski mask or toboggan covering his face. 

Original Investigating Agency: Chattanooga Police Department
If you have information on this case, please use the form below or call the cold case hotline:   423-209-7470

    COLD CASE COMMENT

    We understand you may not feel comfortable providing your identity or any contact information and we respect your privacy. 
    If you do not feel comfortable providing your name, please leave a way for us to contact you in case we need to ask for additional details. 
    Your contact information will only be seen by members of the District Attorney's Cold Case Unit unless you give your express consent for it to be shared with other law enforcement agencies.
    Your contact information will never be sold.