NASHVILLE, TN (WSMV) -
Neighbors in Hermitage woke up Thursday to gunshots and soon discovered two people had been shot in their car.
Police said the suspect walked up to a car on Brooke Valley Drive and shot an 18-year-old woman and 23-year-old man.
After waking up to the gunfire, Steven Black said he stepped outside and saw the male victim lying in the street across from his home. He also quickly realized it was his own cousin.
"I ran over to him. I told him to stay down. I lifted up his shirt and noticed it was a shot to the back. I lifted up his boxers and noticed he was shot to the buttocks," Black said.
While a neighbor rushed to help the woman, Black says he tried to keep his cousin alive until medics arrived.
"I noticed his pulse rate was dropping. He turned at me with a faded voice and said, 'I'm starting to get cold, cuz,'" Black said.
Black says he got a good look at the gunman before the man ran into nearby woods.
"Tall guy, about 6'2", about 6'3" wearing a brown hoodie, some blue jeans," Black said.
Officers brought out K9s and their helicopter as they searched for the shooter.
Metro Police said they believe someone in the car was targeted, but they aren't sure why.
Black said his cousin was in the area visiting family and suspects someone from his cousin's past is responsible.
"It's probably somebody from his past that he don't mess with anymore and probably hating on him because he wants to do something better with his life," Black said.
The victims, whose names have not been released, were taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
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