New Details in Cotter Road Shooting

Hamilton County, TN (WDEF) – Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office detectives are releasing new details regarding last night’s shooting on Cotter Road.

Detectives have identified Michael David McElrath, 46, as the suspect in the murder of his 15-year-old son.

According to the arrest affidavit, when deputies were dispatched about a call was made concerning a male subject on someone’s porch, saying he was “butt naked,” with “blood everywhere.” He was heard saying “call the police,” and “I’ve shot my son.”

The investigation has determined that McElrath murdered his son by shooting him numerous times. He also shot and killed the family dog before running across the street to a neighbor’s residence.

Deputies say after speaking with his wife, she told them she was woken up by the commotion and the dog barking. She told them her husband “Mike” walked into the room with blood on his shirt and told her it was nothing.

Two guns were on the side of the bed, according to the suspect’s wife.

She also told deputies that McElrath told her “it was a dream” and “go back to bed,” according to the arrest affidavit.

The report goes on to say that after she went back to bed, McElrath laid on top of the smaller dog in a choke hold and later told her that he “had to” shoot him in the head.

His wife told officials that she immediately got up to check on her son and found that he had been shot.

Deputies say when they arrived they found Michael David McElrath on a neighbor’s porch, completely naked. The deputies say as they approached him, he told them “I did it. I’m so sorry. I don’t know why.”

The deputy handcuffed him and requested that EMS check him out.

McElrath was taken into custody by HCSO deputies at his neighbor’s residence without incident.

McElrath remains in custody at the Hamilton County Jail.

He has been charged with Criminal Homicide and is currently being held at the Hamilton County Jail under a $1,000,000 dollar bond.

This is an ongoing investigation and no further details will be released at this time.

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HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF)- One person dead after a shooting on Cotter Road.

It happened at 10:24 pm Saturday night.

Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to Cotter Road for the report of a shooting.

When they arrived, deputies found one person dead and took one person into custody.

This is a developing story. Stay with News 12 for the latest on the investigation.