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.
