Chattanooga: Beating in hotel room sends man to hospital

A Chattanooga man attacked in his hotel room last night was taken to Erlanger hospital after being severely beaten in the head.

Willie Beard told police that just before 8 p.m. he answered a knock at his hotel room door and was surprised by two men dressed in all black, said Chattanooga Police Department spokeswoman Sgt. Jerri Weary.

One of the suspects had a gun and began beating Mr. Beard in the head with it, she said.

Mr. Beard said he was forced onto his bed where the beating continued. The incident was interrupted by the hotel manager who overheard the commotion and came to investigate, Sgt. Weary said. The suspects left in a dark-colored sedan prior to police arrival. Police have not determined a motive for the incident.

Mr. Beard’s condition is unknown but his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening, the sergeant said.