Shotgunned teen remains in ICU

Dec. 15– An 18-year-old allegedly shot by a relative of the wife of Hardin County Sheriff Sammy Davidson remained in the intensive care unit of a Jackson hospital Tuesday morning, the sheriff said.

James Grady Price, 62, 105 Francis Way, told The Courier he shot Cade Stricklin with a .410 gauge shotgun.

"He was gonna beat me up ‘cause I’m crippled," he said of the Dec. 10 incident at his home in Hardin County. "It’s self defense just like I told (Sheriff’s) Investigator Mike Fielder and the TBI agent that come out here."

According to Price, who said his niece is married to Davidson, Stricklin and several other young people had been at his house.

"This wasn’t no wild party," he said.

Price said Stricklin left the residence and when he returned threatened to "beat the hell" out of him.

He said as Stricklin approached he reached over from his chair, grabbed a shotgun and fired, aiming for a shoulder but also hitting the teen’s neck.

Davidson said Stricklin was struck in the left shoulder near the neck with pellets from a .410 gauge shotgun.

"It wasn’t no accident. I meant to do what I meant to do," said Price, but "I’m sitting here suffering because I had to do it."

Davidson said because of the family relationship he is distancing himself from the case, which he said is being conducted by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

The sheriff described Price and Stricklin as friends, and said he is also familiar with Stricklin.

"I do know Cade well, He’s a friend of mine. I’ve watched him grow up," he said.

Davidson said he did not know if alcohol was involved in the shooting, but said three witnesses at the scene were at least 18 years of age. He said he did not know if the witnesses were 21 or older, the legal drinking age in Tennessee.

According to the sheriff, Stricklin’s condition has improved and investigators hope to speak with him soon.

"I don’t believe there’s going to be any charges at this time," said Jackson office TBI spokesman John Mehr on Friday.

Once the investigation is complete, the results will be given to the district attorney to determine whether charges are filed against either party, he said.