Boy, 5, Calmly Reports Parents' Murders to 911

Chattanooga police say murders may be gang-related
By Arden Dier,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 3, 2016 6:03 AM CST

"My mama and my daddy got shot … They dead." That's how a 5-year-old boy describes the murder of his parents in Chattanooga, Tenn., in a 911 call released Tuesday. Over nearly eight minutes, the boy tells a dispatcher he witnessed the deaths of Lakita Hicks, 25, and George Dillard, 24, at their home around 10:30pm Sunday, reports the Chattanooga Times Free Press. "This dude shot 'em … but now he gone," the boy says, per the Washington Post. "I was still at home and I started crying," he adds. "Can you tell the police officers to come?" Police tell the Free Press that the child was "extremely helpful," but no arrests have been made so far.

Police are looking into whether Dillard and Hicks' murders could be linked to the gang-related killing of a 20-year-old man shot while walking in Chattanooga on Jan. 25. "We have great concern that it is, but we have no reason to know that," an officer says, noting Dillard was a 52 Blood Stone Villains gang member. Authorities say the couple's son is now in the custody of other family members. "He's doing pretty good, strong little guy," Hicks' uncle says. Emails reveal police were reluctant to release the 911 call fearing it could put the boy in danger. However, a rep for the Hamilton County District Attorney's office says the boy's grandmother supported the move in the hope that someone would come forward with new information. (More Chattanooga stories.)

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