Ex-Aquinas DB Coppet shot trying to recover cell phone

Former St. Thomas Aquinas defensive back Frank Coppet was one of two Vanderbilt football players shot in an attempt to recover a teammate’s stolen mobile phone.

Coppet, a redshirt freshman this fall, received noncritical birdshot wounds to his arms, Nashville police said Tuesday in a statement. Detectives were working to identify and arrest the shooters.

Coppet is in stable condition and is scheduled for surgery today, according to Aquinas coach Roger Harriott, who added doctors are optimistic he’ll make a full recovery.

According to police, Vanderbilt teammate Donaven Tennyson offered his phone for sale on the internet and metwithaprospectivebuyer at a Chili’s parking lot in Nashville at 5 p.m. Monday. Tennyson told police his phone was stolen during the meeting and posted for sale online later that night.

Tennyson, a rising sophomore receiver, arranged a meeting with the seller in a Target parking lot. Police said he, Coppet and freshman DB enrollee Tae Daley broughta pellet pistol, which one player said was “to help get the phone back.”

Coppet got out of Daley’s Toyota with the pellet pistol in hand, according to police, when a man pulled up next to him in his Buick and shot at the three with an actual pistol.

Police said anothermanin the Buick fired a shotgun at them. Daley suffered a noncritical gunshotwoundto his leg.

“Frank fell victim to a senseless crime,” said Harriott, who coached Coppet his senior year with the Raiders. “Our St. Thomas Aquinas community will be praying for him and his family through this difficult time.”

Coppet did not play in his first year with the Commodores, contributing to the scout team as a cornerback and safety.

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

Coppet was a key component in the St. Thomas Aquinas secondary during Class 7A state championship runs his final two years with the Raiders.

As a senior, Coppet was Sun Sentinel All-County first-team defense after recording 95 tackles and four interceptions. He was also a 7A All-State selection that season.

TheAssociated Press contributed to this report.