Father pleads guilty to shooting his 15 year old son

Attorneys agree Michael McElrath had "significant psychiatric symptoms"

(Video is story from 8/20/2018 on the original crime)

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Michael McElrath pleads guilty to murdering his 15 year old son.

Dylan McElerath was a sophomore at Hixson High.

In August of 2018, 46 year old Michael McElrath shot his son multiple times at their home on Cotter Road.

When police showed up, he told them I did it, I did it. I’m so sorry. I shot my son. I don’t know why.”

He also killed the family dog.

Both prosecutors and defense agree he was suffering from “significant psychiatric symptoms” that kept him from premeditating his actions.

Today, he waived his right to a trial and pleaded guilty to Second Degree murder.

He will serve 25 years in prison.