Iowa Man Charged for Westchester Drive Gunfire that Killed 4-Year-Old and Injured 4 Others

Jovien Smith, 26, of Davenport, Iowa, is being held on a $2.6 million bond this morning for the heinous shooting on Westchester Drive last night in Madison that injured his girlfriend and her 5 children, one of which, a 4-year-old girl, fatally.

The overnight investigation revealed Smith was involved in a verbal altercation with his 41-year-old girlfriend, from Illinois, while she was driving to a family member's home that they were in Nashville visiting this weekend.

During the dispute, Smith threw his girlfriend's cell phone out of the window and attempted to grab the steering wheel of the Dodge minivan to cause a crash. His girlfriend safely stopped the vehicle on the side of the road before Smith produced a pistol and began firing at her.

The 41-year-old woman was struck multiple times and ran to nearby homes for help.

Smith then turned towards her five children and fired several times. Four of the five children were struck.

All five were transported to Vanderbilt Pediatrics where one, a four-year-old died as a result of her injuries, and two (ages 7 and 1) are in critical condition. The four injured children were struck multiple times.

After firing on the children, Smith, who was still armed with his pistol, continued to chase the 41-year-old woman as she was seeking assistance at nearby homes. Madison Precinct officers quickly arrived on scene and apprehended him.

The 41-year-old was transported to Skyline Medical Center where she remains hospitalized with serious injuries.

Smith is charged with criminal homicide, five counts of attempted criminal homicide, three counts of aggravated assault and one count of aggravated burglary.