MOBILE, Alabama (WALA) - Mobile Police said a father is behind bars with no bond after being charged with first degree domestic violence. Authorities said the man shot his son Monday night.
Several police cars were stationed outside of a home on Bourgeois Circle in Alabama.
"We heard shots fired. A couple of them. We jumped up and walked outside and heard screaming from down the street then I called police and told them what was going on. Then we heard a few more shots fired," a neighbor who didn't want to be identified said.
The neighbor called authorities out of concern. Police said it was a good thing she did, because an argument between a father and son quickly escalated.
"The 17-year-old juvenile and his father were arguing. It started inside in the house," Officer Christopher Levy said.
Alabama police said the father, Travis Hawkins then got a 9mm gun and started shooting.
"He fired one shot at the floor of the inside of the house. The argument then went outside. He discharged the second time in the air and then actually after a third shot, then shot his son in the chest. When they were outside, the son appears to have tried to take the gun away from the dad when he shot him in the chest," Levy added.
"It doesn't take much for him to snap and go off," the neighbor added.
Police said the argument should have never escalated to gunfire, and what happened there wasn't the first crime Hawkins was accused of.
"What we know about him is he actually has a history of domestic violence involving his children," Levy said.
Hawkins has a long arrest history dating back to the 90's including drug charges and reckless endangerment. Police said after the shooting, Hawkins left the scene and his wounded son before police arrived. But hours later they said he called 911 to turn himself in.
"For a father to do this to a child is unreal. I could not imagine. I think it's a sad situation," the Alabama neighbor added.
While officials try to figure out what led up to the shooting, neighbors are hoping the teen has a speedy recovery.
"We're praying for him. We're praying for the whole family because it's affected everybody in that family and the whole neighborhood," said the neighbor.
Police said the 17-year-old boy was taken to USA Medical Center. He underwent surgery and is expected to be okay.
