Convicted felon charged with attempted murder in shooting in downtown West Palm Beach

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — A convicted felon has been charged with attempted murder after he shot a man walking in downtown West Palm Beach.

The West Palm Beach Police Department (WPBPD) said it responded to 610 5th Street in downtown West Palm Beach around 10:05 p.m. Wednesday for a Shotspotter activation that alerted them to four gunshots.

At the scene, investigators said they were stopped by the victim at the corner of 4th Street and North Sapodilla Avenue, where he said he had just been shot.

The probable cause affidavit states that moments later, the victim saw the suspect, later identified as 61-year-old Timothy Hatten, exiting an alley.

WPBPD stated they then attempted to stop Hatten, where he fled on foot across North Sapodilla Avenue; The officer eventually caught up with Hatten, whereupon he complied with his arrest.

Another WPBPD officer took charge while the other went back to check on the victim. The affidavit states that the other officer conducted a background check on Hatten, during which he was cleared and released because there were no outstanding warrants.

The victim told an officer that he went to his girlfriend's house on 5th Street and saw Hatten walking across the street. The victim continued to tell WBPD that Hatten had a gun in his hand and was cocking the slide back to load a live round into the chamber.

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The victim noted that this made him fear for his life, which caused him to run away. After he began running, the victim said Hatten began shooting his gun at him.

While the officer was questioning the victim, Hatten reportedly returned to the scene and the victim again identified him as the shooter.

Hatten was arrested a second time and taken to a patrol car, where he denied involvement in the shooting after being read his Miranda rights. He confessed to officers that he was a convicted felon and acknowledged that he knew he was not allowed to possess a firearm, a conviction he received on December 7, 2022.

A WPBPD K-9 officer responded to the scene and discovered a handgun that had been reported stolen in a separate case. WPBPD also reported finding four shell casings at the scene.

Hatten was charged with attempted first-degree murder with a firearm and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

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