Patrick Early

A 19-year-old drove a 12-year-old boy to the hospital after he accidentally shot the child in the face with a .380 semi-automatic handgun.

"Patrick, you shot me in the face," witnesses told police they heard the child say to Patrick Early.

Early now faces a charge of reckless endangerment and had a bond set at $1,000.

The boy was shot in the left eye and right foot Tuesday, according to a Chattanooga police report. He is in stable condition.

Early's girlfriend said he was "hysterical" after the shooting and immediately rushed the child from the residence in College Hill Courts at 1407 Cypress St. to the hospital.

The handgun, which was not reported stolen, was passed around the Westside community earlier in the day, the woman told the police. After the shooting, the gun was left lying on the couch.

Witnesses told police that Early and the 12-year-old were good friends.

Early's next court date is set for Nov. 28 before Hamilton County Sessions Court Judge Clarence Shattuck.

For complete details, see tomorrow's Times Free Press.