Boyfriend opens fire on mom and 5 kids on family trip, killing one, TN cops say

A wounded mother ran for help after Tennessee police said her boyfriend opened fire on her and her children inside a minivan, killing a 4-year-old girl, according to news outlets.

The woman, her five kids and boyfriend — 26-year-old Jovien Smith of Iowa — were on their way to visit family members when the shooting occurred at about 10 p.m. Saturday, June 14, in Madison, the Metro Nashville Police Department said in a news release.

Police say Smith got into a fight with his girlfriend, a 41-year-old Illinois woman whom police have not publicly identified, WSMV reported. During the fight, Smith grabbed her phone, threw it out of the minivan, then grabbed the steering wheel and tried to crash, according to police.

Smith’s girlfriend pulled over and he pulled out a gun and shot her multiple times, police said, the station reported.

Wounded, she got out of the van and ran toward nearby homes for help, police told WZTV.

Smith aimed at the children and shot four of them, killing a 4-year-old girl, police said in a release.

Of the four children wounded, all were shot more than once, police told WZTV.

Smith turned his attention back to the mother and began to pursue her but was caught and arrested by officers, police say, according to the outlet.

Two children, ages 1 and 7, are in critical condition, police said, adding that a 13-year-old is stable and a fifth child wasn’t hit by gunfire.

The mother is hospitalized in serious condition, police said.

Smith’s bond is set at $2.6 million, according to police.

He’s facing charges including homicide and five counts of attempted homicide, WZTV reported.

Madison is a northeastern suburb of Nashville.

This story was originally published June 15, 2025 at 3:21 PM with the headline "Boyfriend opens fire on mom and 5 kids on family trip, killing one, TN cops say."