Singer Marc Cohn survives being shot in head

Reuters ^ | 8/8/05 | Reuters

[jimbo123]

DENVER (Reuters) - Grammy-winning singer Marc Cohn was shot in the head during an attempted carjacking after a concert in Denver but survived with only minor injuries, police said on Monday.

Cohn had just finished a performance on Sunday night when a man fleeing on foot from police tried to commandeer the van Cohn was riding in, Denver police spokesman Sonny Jackson said.

When the van driver refused to stop, the suspect fired into the vehicle, striking Cohn in the head, although the bullet did not penetrate his skull.

"The bullet hit Mr. Cohn flush in the temple," Jackson said. "He's very lucky it wasn't a fatal shot."

Surgeons removed the bullet protruding from Cohn's skull and released him in good condition Monday morning, Jackson said.

Cohn, winner of the 1991 Grammy for best newcomer and best known for the song "Walking in Memphis," is married to ABC News correspondent and anchor Elizabeth Vargas. They have a 2-year-old son.

Police said the suspect is accused of carjacking another vehicle and is still at large. Jackson said he was fleeing from police after using a stolen credit card and also was wanted for failing to appear in court.

[jimbo123]

Wow.

[Flavius]

absolutely unreal

[E Rocc]

Will there be a sequel called "Driving In Denver"?

-Eric

[Senator Pardek]

"Tell me - are you a Christian, child?"

Ma'am I am tonight!"

[isthisnickcool]

I saw the ghost of Elvis..................

[bitt]

In this photo provided by Atlantic Records, singer Marc Cohn, shown in New York in this 1997 photo. Cohn was treated and released from a hospital Monday, Aug. 8, 2005, after being shot in the head during an attempted car jacking following a performance in downtown Denver on Sunday. Cohn, who had a hit with the song ``Walking in Memphis'' and won the Grammy for best new artist in 1992, was shot in the temple Sunday when a man fired into his van after his band left a concert at Botanic Gardens around 11:30 p.m., Denver police spokesman Sonny Jackson said. (AP Photo/Atlantic Records, Frank Ockenfels III) Email Photo Print Photo

[Borges]

I believe he's married to Elizabeth Vargas who will probably succeed Peter Jennings. (cue tin foil)

[Sender]

Let me guess; .25 auto aka 6.35mm Browning.

[lunarbicep]

I don't know who Marc Cohn is, but:

1 - I'm glad his alright
2 - I'll remember never to get into a head butting contest with him

[goodnesswins]

Some people are just so......HARD HEADED! WOW....God didn't need him yet....

[Fester Chugabrew]

Here's to a new round of songwriting more potent that the first. "Walking in Memphis" is one of the best tunes ever.

[TigersEye]

Cripes! Most BB guns would penetrate the skull at the temple.
Maybe he's thick headed.??

[garyhope]

I'd like to know what kind of gun, what caliber and what angle the bullett hit him at. And what kind of ammo.

[martin_fierro]

If you can't get a CW song out of this event, you're not working hard enough.

[MikeJ]

I would seriously need some clean underwear after an experience like that...

[commonasdirt]

One VERY lucky dude.

[jimbo123]

More info...


"walking in memphis" singer
Singer Cohn shot in Denver

By Felisa Cardona
Denver Post Staff Writer
DenverPost.com

Grammy Award-winning musician Marc Cohn was shot in the head by a man who attempted to carjack his entourage Sunday night, police said.

Doctors have been able to remove the bullet, which was lodged in his temple.

Cohn won a best new artist Grammy in 1991 and is known for the hit songs "Walking In Memphis," "Silver Thunderbird." and "True Companion."

He had just played a sold-out show at the Denver Botanic Gardens when the incident occurred near the 16th Street Mall.

Cohn's road manager, Thomas Dube, was wounded in his chin during the shooting, but has also recovered, police said.

Authorities are searching for Joseph William Yachteen, 26, the suspected shooter.

Yachteen also goes by the name of Anthony Andolini.

Police say Yachteen was involved in a crime spree that began at 10:30 p.m. Sunday when they found him parked on the light rail tracks in a 1995 Cadillac near the Magnolia Hotel, 818 17th St.

Previously, hotel management called police when they say he tried to pay for his room with a stolen credit card.

When officers approached Yachteen on the tracks, they allege he told them that he didn't have identification and handed the keys over.

He took off running down Stout Street toward the 16th Street Mall.

In the meantime, RTD officers moved the Cadillac off the light-rail tracks.

Officers chased Yachteen into Tarantula's Bar near 15th and Champa streets. When he came out of the bar, Yachteen yelled "I'm not going back to jail" and pointed a silver handgun at the RTD officers, police said. Yachteen was arrested June 28th for possession of a controlled substance and a weapons charge. He posted $25,000 bond, then missed a July 15th court appearance.

Yachteen ran away and tried to take a Chevrolet Impala from a woman who was loading her belongings into the car with her boyfriend, police said.

They say he pointed his gun at her and told her to hand over the car. The boyfriend said there were not any keys to the car, and ran away with his girlfriend. Police say a shot was fired during that altercation, but nobody was injured and the Impala was not taken.

Police say that is when Yachteen encountered the Ford van that Cohn and his entourage were riding in on the 1400 block of Stout Street.

Yachteen attempted to open the door of the van and fired one round into the vehicle when he couldn't get in, police said. He also pointed a weapon at a pursuing RTD officer as he yelled at Yachteen to drop his weapon, they said.

Dube was driving the van and could see that Yachteen had a gun and tried to avoid him by speeding up and swerving away.

The shot grazed Dube in the chin and struck Marc Cohn in the head. Two other passengers inside the van were not injured.

Dube continued driving for a couple of blocks before stopping for help.

RTD officers kept chasing Yachteen. Police say he kept pointing his gun at the officers while running toward the Colorado Convention Center.

Officers say they saw Yachteen carjack four men in a Subaru Forester, license plate 207KUM and drive away on Colfax.

An arrest warrant was issued for Yachteen with charges of criminal attempted first degree murder, aggravated robbery and felony menacing.

Dube was cut by flying glass, which was imbedded in his face and eye, according to Cohn's management.

Both Cohn and Dube were treated at Denver Health Medical Center and were sent home Monday.

Cohn was in Denver on a tour with Suzanne Vega that began July 20 and was to continue through Aug. 14.

Cohn is expected to return to the tour when he recovers and Vega has agreed to join him for the scheduled dates, his managers said. Cohn is married to ABC News journalist Elizabeth Vargas.

[Yak]

I a so glad he's (kinda) allright . . . his song True Companion is the theme-song of my wife and I. I HIGHLY recommend checking it out:

I've got my heart set on our wedding day
I've got this vision of a girl in white
Made my decision that it's you allright
And when i take your hand
I'll watch my heart set sail
I'll take my trembling fingers

And i'll lift up your veil
Then i'll take you home
And with wild abandon
Make love to you just like a true companion
You are my true companion
I got a true companion
True companion

When the years have done irreparable harm
I can see us walking slowly arm in arm
Just like the couple on the corner do
'cause girl i will always be in love with you
And when i look in your eyes
I'll still see that spark
Until the shadows fall
Until the room grows dark
Then when i leave this earth
I'll be with the angels standin'
I'll be out there waiting for my true companion
Just for my true companion
True companion
True companion

[Husker8877]

You know, I was thinking it's one of the WORST songs of all time. Never ends. Staggeringly monotonous. I'd sooner listen to John Cafferty and The Beaver Brown Band doing a Bruce Springsteen ripoff. Ughhhhhhhh...

Rivals Paula Cole's "I Don't Wanna Wait" and Bruce Hornsby's "That's Just The Way It Is" for Numero Uno on my personal list of most hated songs.

Strictly my opinion, not gonna argue it, can't imagine anyone liking any of 'em, but obviously some people do.

*shrug*

[Yak]

I gotta say it again, that song is just SOOO cool.