Pattern of Harm

Nashville, TN — A 26-year-old Iowa man is facing multiple felony charges, including criminal homicide, after allegedly opening fire on his girlfriend and her five children during a domestic dispute in Nashville on Friday night. One child, a 4-year-old girl, was killed, and two others remain in critical condition.

The suspect, identified as Jovien T. Smith of Davenport, Iowa, is being held at the Downtown Detention Center without eligibility for release. His total bond is set at $2.6 million, although the homicide charge is not bond-eligible.

According to Metro Nashville Police, the shooting occurred around 10 p.m. June 13, 2025 on Westchester Drive in the Madison neighborhood. Smith was riding in a Dodge minivan driven by his 41-year-old girlfriend, a resident of Illinois visiting family in Nashville. The two began arguing during the drive.

Police say the argument escalated when Smith threw the woman’s cellphone out of the vehicle and attempted to grab the steering wheel in what appeared to be an effort to crash the van. The woman safely pulled over to the side of the road. At that point, Smith allegedly pulled out a pistol and began shooting, striking her multiple times.

The woman ran from the vehicle, seeking help at nearby homes. Smith then turned the gun on the five children inside the van, firing multiple rounds. Four of the children were hit by gunfire, according to police.

Madison Precinct officers responded quickly and took Smith into custody at the scene. The woman was transported to Skyline Medical Center, where she remains hospitalized with serious injuries. All five children were taken to Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. The 4-year-old girl died from her injuries. A 7-year-old and a 1-year-old remain in critical condition.

Smith was booked into jail at 4:11 a.m. Saturday and placed in restricted housing. He faces the following charges:

• One count of criminal homicide
• Five counts of attempted criminal homicide
• Three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon
• One count of aggravated burglary

He is also under a 12-hour domestic violence hold and is subject to a court order and mandatory DNA testing, according to the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office.

Police have not yet released the names of the victims. The investigation remains ongoing.