NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — The Department of Children's Services plans to review its home pass policy after a teenager who was released didn't return, and then allegedly shot an Uber driver during an attempted robbery.
16-year-old sought in Uber driver’s shooting, attempted carjacking in Nashville
Police said David Earl Mays, 16, was arrested in July, 2018, following a string of violent robberies. He was sent to a youth detention facility, but received a "weekend pass" in February, according to officers. Police said Mays never returned to the facility. On Wednesday, officers said Mays attempted to carjack Brain Redden, an Uber driver, at a gas station. Police say when Redden refused to hand over his keys, Mays shot him in the stomach.
"He's a hard working man. He Ubers as a second job after his full time job. All he wanted to do is provide for his family. We are just sick over this," Redden's wife, Kara, told NewsChannel 5.
"We don't know this child, his history, or why he decided to do what he did to my husband. Of course we have questions...right now all I care about is that the love of my life is coming home. This could have ended so much worse," Kara Redden said when asked about Mays' release from the detention center.
NewsChannel 5 looked through the DCS policy regarding home passes. The policy says that kids become eligible for home passes after they are acclimated to the facility, are physically stable, and have had successful off-campus visits. The visits must be approved by the courts, and can be denied "only if the youth commits...major violations within the last thirty day period."
DCS spokesperson Carrie Weir told NewsChannel 5 that the department plans to review the policy.
"The department reviews and updates policies on a regular basis," Weir said in a statement. "The department will review the home pass policy. Ensuring the safety of the community is of prime importance to the department."
