Selbria Rhodes becomes emotional while speaking to Officer Nathan Hartwig outside of the Chattanooga Police Services Center about neighborhood friend Keoshia Ford, 13, who was shot in the head and chest two days ago. The shooting happened a block from her home Saturday evening shortly after an unrelated block party that she was hosting was shut down by police, according to Rhodes. Rhodes is a close friend with the grandmother of the shooting victim.A 17-year-old male charged in connection with the shooting of a 13-year-old girl could be tried as an adult, authorities say.
It’s possible the Hamilton County District Attorney’s Office will try the teen as an adult after reviewing the case and the teen’s prior record, said Antinio Petty, court director for Hamilton County Juvenile Court.
The teen, whose name has not been released because he is a juvenile, faces charges of attempted first-degree murder, felony reckless endangerment, aggravated assault and unlawful possession of a firearm.
Petty, who said he couldn’t comment on details of the case, said motions to transfer cases from Juvenile Court to adult court must be filed by prosecutors at least three days before trial. A judge then decides.
He said one question to answer when making the decision to try a juvenile as an adult is: “Do they feel this child can be rehabilitated through the Juvenile Court system or [should be] tried as an adult?”