Police said a husband appears to have accidentally shot his wife about 3:30 a.m. today after she heard a suspicious party outside their house at 944 Ely Road.

According to preliminary reports given to investigators, the wife told police the house had experienced theft and burglaries in the last few nights, and she thought a suspicious party was outside looking at a vehicle, Chattanooga Police Department Sgt. Jerri Weary said.

When she let one of her dogs out of the house, her husband — who was sleeping on the couch — got up. The dog ran back into the house and caused him to trip, and as he was attempting to regain his balance, he fired a shot, which went into his wife’s back, Sgt. Weary said.

She was taken to Erlanger hospital for surgery. Police are expected to interview her later.

“It looks like an accidental injury,” Sgt. Weary said.

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