Nashville man arrested for allegedly shooting pregnant woman, killing her unborn child

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TCD) -- A man has been arrested several days after he allegedly shot a pregnant woman in a car, causing her unborn child to die.

On Oct. 3, Metro Nashville Police announced detectives from the Specialized Investigations Divisions located 23-year-old Demarius Claybrooks and took him into custody on a charge of criminal homicide. Davidson County jail records show he is also being charged with aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury.

Claybrooks allegedly shot the 23-year-old woman, who was eight months pregnant, while she sat in the front seat of a car on Lewis Street. According to police, Claybrooks allegedly shot at another car after a passenger from that vehicle got out. He then reportedly released a can of bear spray at a group of people and got back in his vehicle.

The gunshot hit the pregnant woman in her abdomen.

Police initially said there was a group of people standing near Lewis and Lafayette streets when a woman in a Nissan Maxima allegedly approached and discharged the spray. Police claimed that woman got back in the same car as the victim, then a man followed and started shooting. The driver reportedly transported the victim to Vanderbilt Hospital, then ditched the Maxima.

However, a detective from the Youth Services Division identified Claybrooks as the suspect who allegedly shot the victim and sprayed the crowd.

According to Nashville Police, "The spraying of the bear Mace is believed to be related to an ongoing dispute between several females in the area."

MORE:

• Man Arrested for Last Week's Shooting of Pregnant Woman on Lewis Street - Metro Nashville Police Department
• Specialized Investigations Division detectives have arrested Demarius Claybrooks Jr. - Metro Nashville Police Department
• Detectives Pursuing Active Leads in Tuesday Night's Shooting of Woman at Lewis and Lafayette, 9/27/2023 - Metro Nashville Police Department