Vanderbilt football player's stolen cell phone led to shooting outside Nashville Target, police say

Natalie Neysa Alund | The Tennessean

Show Caption Hide Caption Nashville Target shooting: What we know What we know about the double shooting in the parking lot of a Nashville Target that injured two Vanderbilt University football players.

A Vanderbilt University football player's plan to recover his stolen iPhone sparked a shooting outside a Nashville Target on Monday night and led to two of his teammates being shot, according to police.

► More: 2 shot during robbery at Target on White Bridge Pike in Nashville

The shooting, which took place at the store at on White Bridge Road, stemmed from an arranged meeting between two groups — a trio of football players and the thieves who Metro police say stole the phone and fired the shots.

Both groups brought weapons, police said, although one side — the players — had only a pellet gun.

As of Tuesday, the shooting suspects remained at large and both injured players were expected to recover, police spokesman Don Aaron said.

According to a preliminary investigation, 19-year-old sophomore wide receiver Donaven Tennyson had offered his iPhone 6S for sale on the internet and met with a prospective buyer in the parking lot of a Chili’s restaurant on West End Avenue at 5 p.m. Monday.

Tennyson told police his phone was stolen during the meeting when the thief drove off with it.

Here's his account to police of what happened from there:

Later in the evening, about 8:40, Tennyson noticed his phone had been offered for sale on the same internet site. So he created a fake account on the site, requested to purchase the phone, and arranged to meet with the seller in the Target parking lot.

Tennyson then went to the parking lot with friends and fellow teammates O’montae (Tae) Daley and Frank Coppet, both 18, in Daley’s red Toyota Corolla.

The trio brought a pellet gun with them, as one put it, “to help get the phone back.”

The group pulled up next to the seller’s gray Buick sedan and Coppet got out with the pellet gun in his hand.

A man in the Buick then got out and shot at them with an actual handgun, while another man in the Buick fired a shotgun.

Daley was hit in leg. Coppet suffered birdshot wounds to his arms.

After the shots, the suspects fled, one in the Buick, and one in Daley’s Corolla.

As of Tuesday, West Precinct detectives were working to identify the suspects in the Buick. A complete description of the suspects was not available but, according to police, the Buick is a four-door sedan with dark tinted windows and has damage to both passenger doors.

After the shooting, Vanderbilt released a statement about the case.

"Our foremost concern is the well being of our students, but it appears their injuries are not life-threatening," the statement reads. "The university is monitoring the situation and will determine if any action on the part of the university is appropriate."

Tennyson, who is from Richmond, Va., was among six true freshmen to play for Vanderbilt last season, and he was on the SEC Academic Honor Roll. He played in eight games in 2016, rushing for 28 yards on reverses as a slot receiver. Tennyson’s role is projected to expand in 2017 as a multi-talented runner, receiver and kick returner.

Coppet, a defensive back from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., took a redshirt as a freshman in the 2016 season. He is set to compete in Vanderbilt’s defensive secondary in the upcoming season.

Daley was among Vanderbilt’s top prospects in its 2017 signing class. A safety from Warner Robbins, Ga., he signed a scholarship with the Commodores in December and enrolled early in January. He took part in spring practice as a freshman, and he is set to make his debut this fall.

As of Tuesday no charges had been filed against the players. (It's not illegal to carry a pellet gun unless it's being used in an illegal act.)

Anyone with information about the suspects or the case is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463. Electronic tips may also be sent to Crime Stoppers by texting the word "CASH" along with a message to 274637 or online at www.nashvillecrimestoppers.com.

► More: Signing Day 2017: S Tae Daley, Vanderbilt football

Adam Sparks contributed to this report. Reach Natalie Alund at nalund@tennessean.com and follow her on Twitter @nataliealund.