A visibly angry Chattanooga Police Department Chief David Roddy appealed to the public Sunday afternoon, asking for help to identify the person or people who shot "indiscriminately" into an Usher Drive home early Sunday morning, striking an 11-year-old boy.
"Late last night, some individuals stood on Usher Drive and felt the need to shoot bullets into a house. Indiscriminately. Without any idea who they were going to hit," Roddy said in a news conference in front of Erlanger hospital's ER.
"And unfortunately, one of those bullets struck an 11-year-old child. I just left inside, meeting with some of the doctors and medical staff that have been treating him since last night as he has continued to fight to improve in his conditions and continuing to work with investigators, as well to find out where this investigation goes and what we can do to continue to pursue the individual or individuals who have done this."
The call came in to dispatch at 12:34 a.m., according to a Sunday morning news release. The boy suffered injuries that were not considered life-threatening, and no other injuries were reported by those who were in the residence on the 5200 block of Usher Drive at the time of the shooting.
Police are following up on several leads, Roddy said, but they need help from people who know what happened.
"... there is an 11-year-old child who a few days from now, should have been playing with their Christmas gifts, and they won't be. They will be in this building [Erlanger hospital], still continuing to fight to improve their condition.
"I can also tell you with certainty that there are members of this community that know what happened, that know who did this. And I'm asking them, if you did it, if you have anything to do with it, turn yourself in. If you know who did it, or you have any information that can help us figure out who did this and bring them to justice, call the police department."
He added that police "are not going to stop" in their pursuit of justice for the boy.
The investigation is ongoing, and Chattanooga police ask anyone with information regarding this incident to call the homicide tip line at 423-643-5100 or submit a tip through the CPD Mobile App. Tipsters can remain anonymous.