Arrest Made in Attack on Nashville Producer Dave Brainard
A little over a week since Nashville producer Dave Brainard and his friend Deborah DeLoach were assaulted while crossing a street near Music Row, an arrest has been made in the case. A couple from Columbia, Tennessee, surrendered to police following a surprise visit to their home by a Metro Nashville Police Department detective, according to the Tennessean.
Dustin Carl Hargrove and Nichole M. Hargrove, both 30, were charged with misdemeanor assault. Dustin Hargrove was also charged with felony aggravated assault.
According to reports, the couple struck DeLoach with their car as she and the Grammy-nominated producer were in a crosswalk on Demonbreun Street on September 27th. An altercation ensued, with Dustin Hargrove allegedly choking and beating Brainard to the point of unconsciousness; Nichole Hargrove allegedly assaulted DeLoach, bringing her to the ground, where her husband allegedly held her down by placing his knee on her chest. Brainard was hospitalized and required extensive reconstructive surgery.
Police credited a number of tips to Nashville Crime Stoppers, as well as the investigation work of Det. Anthony Chandler, with helping crack the case. According to police, the suspects were visiting Nashville for a wedding. Following the assault, witnesses said the couple was dressed in formal attire.
In a statement following the arrests, Brainard expressed his gratitude: “I speak for myself and my friend Deborah DeLoach when I say we are overwhelmed with gratitude for the work done by Metro Nashville Police Department’s Detective Anthony Chandler, his team and to Nashville’s media whose coverage led to Crime Stoppers tips which helped solve this case. We are humbled by the outpouring of care and support from not only friends and family, but what feels like the entire city. A huge thanks to everyone involved. I’ll be sleeping more soundly knowing this part of the process is over.”
Brainard, a celebrated producer who received a Grammy nomination for producing Brandy Clark’s 12 Stories album, has also worked on projects by Jerrod Niemann, Jamey Johnson and Ray Scott.