The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has been called in to help investigate after a pregnant woman was shot in drive-by shooting in Savannah, Tennessee. One person is in custody, and two others are wanted for questioning, according to Burt Staggs with Tennessee River Valley News.
The shooting happened about 7:45 p.m. Wednesday night along Highway 64 within view of the Savannah Police station. Staggs says the shooting victim has been identified as 23-year-old Haley Smith, who was shot at least four times. Two others in the car are reported unharmed. We are told Smith is now at a Memphis area hospital.
Local 24 spoke with Smith’s mom Thursday. She says Haley is off the ventilator and breathing on her own. She’s critical but stable and on heavy pain meds. Smith is pregnant with twins, and her mom said the babies are doing well. She says they both have a strong heartbeat.
Staggs tells Local 24 Lakeevan Barnes, has been arrested and charged with attempted 1st degree murder. He is currently being held at the Hardin County Jail. Staggs says two others are wanted for questioning.
Police are still looking for a baby blue Grand Marquis, tag number BWG-099.
The following from the TBI release was sent Thursday afternoon.
An investigation by Special Agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has resulted in the arrest of a Selmer man, charged in the attempted murder of a McNairy County woman.
At the request of 24th District Attorney General Matt Stowe, on July 4th, Agents joined investigators with the Savannah Police Department and Hardin County Sheriff’s Office in investigating a shooting in Savannah. Shortly after 8 o’clock Wednesday night, Savannah police officers responded to a shooting call at the Savannah Dodge Store at 650 Wayne Road, where a female had been shot multiple times. She is currently being treated in a Memphis hospital. During the course of the investigation, Agents developed information that identified Lakeevan Barnes as an individual responsible for the injuries sustained by the victim.
On Thursday, Lakeevan Mykel Barnes (DOB 04/24/1991) was arrested in McNairy County. He was charged with one count of Attempted First Degree Murder, and booked into the Hardin County Correctional Facility. Barnes is currently being held without bond. Additional arrests related to this incident are anticipated.
