No charges for white Nashville officer in black man’s death
NASHVILLE — A white Nashville police officer won’t face charges for shooting and killing an armed black man after a traffic stop in February, a district attorney said.
At a news conference Thursday, District Attorney General Glenn Funk said Officer Josh Lippert’s actions met the legal definition of self-defence when he shot and killed Jocques Scott Clemmons following a traffic stop.
“Based on the facts of his incident and application of the law of self-defence in the state of Tennessee, Officer Lippert has a legally sufficient claim of self-defence, and therefore the state will not pursue criminal charges against Officer Lippert,” Funk said.
The decision drew swift outcry from the NAACP, some clergy, Clemmons’ family and other community members.