Two brothers were shot early Thursday morning after they allegedly bought bad dope and exchanged words with the seller in the 1800 block of South Kelly Street, Chattanooga police said.

“They ventured from East Ridge to Chattanooga for a little narcotics transaction, and it went sour,” said Lt. Tim Carroll, head of the Chattanooga Police Department major crimes division.

Rocky Tomlinson, 33, and Adam Tomlinson, 29, said they were provided fake drugs shortly before 3 a.m. After speaking with the seller about it, they got in their vehicle, at which time the seller shot at the men, Lt. Carroll said.

The older brother suffered a gunshot graze to his forehead and injuries to his left arm. The younger brother, whose wife was in the back seat of the car at the time, suffered two to three gunshot wounds to his left knee, Lt. Carroll said.

The brothers drove home before calling their mother, who took them to Parkridge East Hospital. They were transferred to Erlanger hospital, where both men were listed in fair condition Thursday afternoon, hospital personnel said.

Police have not made any arrests but are searching for a man about 5 feet, 8 inches to 5 feet, 9 inches tall with shoulder-length dreadlocks, a navy blue shirt and an unknown handgun, according to a description provided by the two men who were shot, Chattanooga Police Department spokeswoman Sgt. Jerri Weary said.

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