Topline: Four of the five children were shot multiple times; police say the mother managed to escape and ran for help.
Published: June 17, 2025 8:00 am ET
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The Dodge minivan, right, where a mother and her five children were shot sits on Westchester Drive in Nashville following Saturday night's attack. Left: Mugshot of 26-year-old Jovien Smith, who is accused of opening fire on the family during a domestic dispute. (Photos via Metro Nashville PD)
NASHVILLE, TN — Police say a man opened fire on his girlfriend and her five children in a minivan in Nashville over the weekend, killing a 4-year-old girl and critically injuring two others.
According to the Metro Nashville Police Department, the shooting occurred around 10 p.m. on Westchester Drive in the Madison neighborhood. The mother, 41, and her children had been traveling in a Dodge minivan when her boyfriend allegedly opened fire.
The suspect—26-year-old Jovien T. Smith of Davenport, Iowa—is now in custody and facing a litany of serious charges after police say he unleashed a hail of bullets on the woman and her children — killing a 4-year-old girl and critically wounding two others, according to WSMV.
The mother and her children were visiting family in Nashville from Illinois when the situation occurred, WZTV reported.
Smith and his girlfriend began arguing while she was driving to a relative’s house. During the altercation, Smith reportedly threw the woman’s phone out the window and tried to grab the steering wheel of the moving vehicle, according to police.
She managed to safely pull over—but that only marked the beginning of the violence.
WSMV reports that once the van came to a halt, Smith drew a pistol and shot the woman multiple times before turning his weapon on the children inside the minivan. Police said four of the five children were hit by gunfire, each sustaining multiple wounds.
The mother, wounded but alive, fled the vehicle and ran to nearby homes seeking help. According to WZTV, Smith allegedly chased after her on foot with the gun still in hand.
All five children were rushed to local hospitals. A 4-year-old girl died from her injuries. Two other children, ages 1 and 7, remain in critical condition. The remaining children’s conditions have not been released.
The mother is hospitalized at Skyline Medical Center and is being treated for serious injuries, authorities confirmed.
Smith was jailed on one count of criminal homicide, five counts of attempted criminal homicide, three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and one count of aggravated burglary.
WZTV notes that one of the homicide charges carries no bond. Smith is currently held under a 12-hour domestic violence hold and has also been ordered to undergo DNA testing.
His total bond is set at $2.6 million.
As of Sunday night, the names of the victims have not been released.
Authorities are urging anyone with additional information about the case to contact Metro Police at 615-862-8600 or Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, you are not alone. Help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788 to connect with trained advocates 24/7. Support is free, confidential, and available in over 200 languages. You can also visit thehotline.org for more information and resources.
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Man Opens Fire on Girlfriend and Her Five Kids in Minivan; 4-Year-Old Killed
Four of the five children were shot multiple times; police say the mother managed to escape and ran for help.
By Jacob Charles
Published: June 17, 2025 8:00 am ET
The Dodge minivan, right, where a mother and her five children were shot sits on Westchester Drive in Nashville following Saturday night's attack. Left: Mugshot of 26-year-old Jovien Smith, who is accused of opening fire on the family during a domestic dispute. (Photos via Metro Nashville PD)
NASHVILLE, TN — Police say a man opened fire on his girlfriend and her five children in a minivan in Nashville over the weekend, killing a 4-year-old girl and critically injuring two others.
According to the Metro Nashville Police Department, the shooting occurred around 10 p.m. on Westchester Drive in the Madison neighborhood. The mother, 41, and her children had been traveling in a Dodge minivan when her boyfriend allegedly opened fire.
The suspect—26-year-old Jovien T. Smith of Davenport, Iowa—is now in custody and facing a litany of serious charges after police say he unleashed a hail of bullets on the woman and her children — killing a 4-year-old girl and critically wounding two others, according to WSMV.
The mother and her children were visiting family in Nashville from Illinois when the situation occurred, WZTV reported.
Smith and his girlfriend began arguing while she was driving to a relative’s house. During the altercation, Smith reportedly threw the woman’s phone out the window and tried to grab the steering wheel of the moving vehicle, according to police.
She managed to safely pull over—but that only marked the beginning of the violence.
WSMV reports that once the van came to a halt, Smith drew a pistol and shot the woman multiple times before turning his weapon on the children inside the minivan. Police said four of the five children were hit by gunfire, each sustaining multiple wounds.
The mother, wounded but alive, fled the vehicle and ran to nearby homes seeking help. According to WZTV, Smith allegedly chased after her on foot with the gun still in hand.
All five children were rushed to local hospitals. A 4-year-old girl died from her injuries. Two other children, ages 1 and 7, remain in critical condition. The remaining children’s conditions have not been released.
The mother is hospitalized at Skyline Medical Center and is being treated for serious injuries, authorities confirmed.
Smith was jailed on one count of criminal homicide, five counts of attempted criminal homicide, three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and one count of aggravated burglary.
WZTV notes that one of the homicide charges carries no bond. Smith is currently held under a 12-hour domestic violence hold and has also been ordered to undergo DNA testing.
His total bond is set at $2.6 million.
As of Sunday night, the names of the victims have not been released.
Authorities are urging anyone with additional information about the case to contact Metro Police at 615-862-8600 or Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, you are not alone. Help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788 to connect with trained advocates 24/7. Support is free, confidential, and available in over 200 languages. You can also visit thehotline.org for more information and resources.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Man Opens Fire on Girlfriend and Her Five Kids in Minivan; 4-Year-Old Killed
Four of the five children were shot multiple times; police say the mother managed to escape and ran for help.
By Jacob Charles
Published: June 17, 2025 8:00 am ET
The Dodge minivan, right, where a mother and her five children were shot sits on Westchester Drive in Nashville following Saturday night's attack. Left: Mugshot of 26-year-old Jovien Smith, who is accused of opening fire on the family during a domestic dispute. (Photos via Metro Nashville PD)
NASHVILLE, TN — Police say a man opened fire on his girlfriend and her five children in a minivan in Nashville over the weekend, killing a 4-year-old girl and critically injuring two others.
According to the Metro Nashville Police Department, the shooting occurred around 10 p.m. on Westchester Drive in the Madison neighborhood. The mother, 41, and her children had been traveling in a Dodge minivan when her boyfriend allegedly opened fire.
The suspect—26-year-old Jovien T. Smith of Davenport, Iowa—is now in custody and facing a litany of serious charges after police say he unleashed a hail of bullets on the woman and her children — killing a 4-year-old girl and critically wounding two others, according to WSMV.
The mother and her children were visiting family in Nashville from Illinois when the situation occurred, WZTV reported.
Smith and his girlfriend began arguing while she was driving to a relative’s house. During the altercation, Smith reportedly threw the woman’s phone out the window and tried to grab the steering wheel of the moving vehicle, according to police.
She managed to safely pull over—but that only marked the beginning of the violence.
WSMV reports that once the van came to a halt, Smith drew a pistol and shot the woman multiple times before turning his weapon on the children inside the minivan. Police said four of the five children were hit by gunfire, each sustaining multiple wounds.
The mother, wounded but alive, fled the vehicle and ran to nearby homes seeking help. According to WZTV, Smith allegedly chased after her on foot with the gun still in hand.
All five children were rushed to local hospitals. A 4-year-old girl died from her injuries. Two other children, ages 1 and 7, remain in critical condition. The remaining children’s conditions have not been released.
The mother is hospitalized at Skyline Medical Center and is being treated for serious injuries, authorities confirmed.
Smith was jailed on one count of criminal homicide, five counts of attempted criminal homicide, three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and one count of aggravated burglary.
WZTV notes that one of the homicide charges carries no bond. Smith is currently held under a 12-hour domestic violence hold and has also been ordered to undergo DNA testing.
His total bond is set at $2.6 million.
As of Sunday night, the names of the victims have not been released.
Authorities are urging anyone with additional information about the case to contact Metro Police at 615-862-8600 or Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, you are not alone. Help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788 to connect with trained advocates 24/7. Support is free, confidential, and available in over 200 languages. You can also visit thehotline.org for more information and resources.
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