Former Dem congressional candidate details shooting that 'targeted' family's home

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Former Democratic congressional candidate Justin Kanew said his family was "targeted" over the weekend at their Tennessee home, claiming someone shot at his house.

"On Saturday night, someone targeted our home by shooting several bullets into our house while my family was sleeping," Kanew wrote in a statement on Twitter. "This violence has no place in a civilized society and we are thankful no one was physically hurt."

Kanew, who previously lost his bid to unseat Tennessee Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn when she served in the House, said authorities had not completed their investigation and were not certain about a motive behind the attack.

"We urge the Williamson County Sheriff's Office to continue to investigate this crime and help shed light on Saturday's unfortunate events and bring the perpetrators of this crime to justice," Kanew wrote. "In the meantime, our family remains focused on keeping our children healthy and safe."

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Kanew launched his candidacy for the House of Representatives in 2017. (David Livingston / Getty Images / File)

Kanew ended his statement by saying the family does not plan on making any additional statements and hopes the public can respect their privacy.

Police said they had been called to the home "after it was discovered that shots were fired into the residence." Authorities say the shooting happened between 10 and 10:30 Saturday night. The incident is being investigated as aggravated assault.

Kanew launched his candidacy for the House of Representatives in 2017, then telling People magazine that world events had initially inspired his bid.

"I just saw things happening in the country that I thought were dangerous," Kanew told the publication. "As a father, I started thinking about the world that my daughter would grow up in, and I wanted to help."

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Kanew also told The Tennessean in 2017 that he had been "mobilized" by the voting outcome of the 2016 election and criticized then-Rep. Blackburn's efforts to repeal Obamacare.

Kanew, a former producer and contestant on "The Amazing Race," is the founder of the Tennessee Holler, a progressive news site, and has continued to go head-to-head with Tennessee lawmakers.

Kanew previously ran against then-Rep. Marsha Blackburn and ultimately lost. (Kevin Dietsch / Getty Images / File)

In a video initially posted by the Tennessee Holler on Feb. 14, Kanew confronted state Sen. Jack Johnson with a camera. Johnson is seen speaking with another individual as Kanew walks up.

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"Can't you see I'm talking to someone, you jack---?" Johnson says. "Yeah, get out of my face, you loser."

Memorials for the six victims who were killed in a mass shooting are placed outside the Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee, on March 28, 2023. (KR/Mega for Fox News Digital)

Another video posted shortly after the recent Covenant School shooting in Nashville shows Kanew approaching several Republican Tennessee lawmakers. Kanew is heard sparring with the GOP representatives over gun reform and legislation.

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"Yesterday at the capitol I asked this Tennessee Republican supermajority what they would do to combat gun violence and protect our kids," Kanew wrote in the post. "Their silence was loud."