Convicted Felon Jailed for Saturday Night's Reckless Gunfire on 2nd Avenue

Convicted felon Jeremi Ford, 39, is jailed this morning for Saturday's 11:15 p.m. reckless gunfire in the 100 block of 2nd Avenue South that seriously injured a man and woman.

The 44-year-old female victim reported that she was attempting to leave a parking lot in her Nissan Altima when she attempted to go around a group of people. They began screaming at her and several females approached her car, striking her through her window. The second victim, her 47-year-old male front seat passenger, said that he got out of the Altima and fired shots from his pistol into the air to stop the assault. The female driver reported hearing return gunfire. She was struck in the shoulder and her passenger received multiple gunshot wounds. They were transported to Vanderbilt Medical Center where both are expected to recover. The male passenger's gun was recovered at the scene.

The gunman attempted to flee in a gray Infiniti with three female passengers. Entertainment District Unit officers heard the gunfire and quickly responded. They rendered aid to the victims as witnesses pointed out the suspect vehicle. One of the officers got in front of the Infiniti and ordered the driver, Ford, to stop but he continued traveling toward the officer. The officer got out of the way before Ford finally pulled into a parking lot where he and his passengers were taken into custody. Ford was positively identified as the shooter. He refused to be interviewed.

Ford, who has prior felony drug convictions, is now charged with two counts of attempted homicide, aggravated assault against a first responder, felon in possession of a gun, and reckless endangerment. He was last arrested in April on two felony probation violations stemming from a 2007 case. He is being held in lieu of $560,000 bond.

Ford and both victims are from Nashville.