The 32-year-old country singer was shot point-blank outside of a Nashville bar during what police suspect was an attempted carjacking.
According to Nashville Metro Police, two teenage boys have been arrested in connection with the carjacking attempt and shooting of country singer/songwriter, Matthew Lovell.
Around 8 p.m. on Friday (January 20th) witnesses state that they saw Lovell get shot after the suspect(s) tried to hijack his car. They stated he ran to the Red Door Saloon and collapsed on the deck, begging for help.
Fortunately, Lovell survived the incident, but he is currently still in the hospital under strict watch and care of doctors. There is a very long road to recovery ahead for the young musician.
On Tuesday, Nashville Metro Police Spokesperson Don Aaron stated that the two teens, aged 16 and 17, were arrested on Monday in connection with a separate carjacking that happened on Sunday night – during which, a firearm was brandished at the victim.
As The Tennessean reports, Aaron continued to state that during the investigation of the Sunday-evening carjacking, police obtained information that developed Raiquan Derrick (16) and Antonio Derrick (17) as suspects in Lovell’s shooting. They have both been charged with aggravated robbery and carjacking.
The Derricks were arrested along with a third teenager, Duron Coward, 19, who is not being considered a suspect in Lovell’s shooting, but is charged with aggravated robbery and currently is jailed on a $100,000 bond.The three teenagers are also suspected in a string of other crimes in East Nashville.
Police suspect that the youngest, 16-year-old Raiquan Derrick, is the person who shot Lovell during the botched carjacking attempt, and he has been charged with an additional count of especially aggravated robbery.
When news broke of Lovell’s shooting, a close friend and fellow country singer/songwriter, Leigh Nash (of Sixpence None the Richer) posted a heartbreaking passage on social media about her dear friend’s condition and shared a link to a GoFundMe page that his friends established to help get him back on his feet.
“Matt is a beloved friend to many and is one of the sweetest human beings I’ve ever known,” Nash said on Facebook. “We wrote together Friday morning, hung out all day and then he walked to his car and was shot in the chest in a random attempted carjacking. He is tough as nails, he survived this and is in recovery right this moment. He could use your prayers if you’re able, some financial help. Please consider it if you’re able.”
Watch the video below of a local news report about the shooting. If you’d like to donate to Matt Lovell’s recovery, please visit his GoFundMe page here.