ONLY OF 3: The mother of a teenager shot on Highway 58 speaks out | Local News

The mother of a teenager who was shot on Highway 58 last week spoke exclusively to Local 3 News on Thursday.

Lyndell Dunnigan, 27, was arrested by Chattanooga police for Friday's shooting.

Nakisha Butts said her 14-year-old son and his cousin made a few trips Friday night to the Circle K on Highway 58 to buy snacks. As they were heading home for the second time, they were hanging out in a nearby parking lot and that's where things went wrong.

Butts believes the shooting was random.

She said it happened between Scooter's Coffee and a doctor's office off Highway 58.

“There was a guy who decided to hide behind a pole and shoot Isaish and his cousin. That’s when Isaish was shot in the knee and when he pointed the gun at his cousin, his cousin ran away,” Butts said.

Butts said the cousin then ran back and pulled her son to safety in a nearby square.

Chattanooga police's preliminary investigation shows the victim was playing with fireworks with a friend in the parking lot when the suspect shot him.

Shortly after, Butts received a call about the incident.

“I thought I lost my son because I already lost my four-year-old in 2005. For something to happen to my son with everything we've already been through, I thought he was gone,” said Butts.

She said her son was autistic and believed the incident would cause lasting trauma.

Isaiah is out of the hospital and back home with his family.

“It's painful but he's fine, he stays on the phone, tries to be active, but he also sees that everyone is moving and going to the pool, going skating and having a good time and he knows he can “I don’t do anything,” Butts said.

Butts said gun violence in Chattanooga is out of control and she doesn't feel safe for her or her family.

“I had to come and speak on behalf of my child and say that this was not related to any gang situation. My son is a good kid, like I said he is autistic. We’ve been through some things with the schools, but overall he’s a good kid,” Butts said.