Elam's girlfriend, their baby and other family members were apparently home at the time of the attack. But they were staying in the apartment above.
"He was the best kid you can ever have... my son was. I don't know what caused this tragedy to happen to him. I love him and I'm going to miss him. He's the best thing that ever happened to me. My son was not a trouble maker. He never got into any trouble, not the kind where someone would have to hurt him," said Arnell Elam, Sr., victim's father.
Detectives spent several hours searching the home for clues Wednesday morning.
Police are still looking for the suspect.
