METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT

MEDIA RELEASE
P.D. FORM 004
ALEA 54.1.2)

Don Aaron (615) 862-7306 office

Public Affairs Manager (615) 880-2090 fax
Kristin Mumford February 10, 2017 http://www.police.nashville.org
Public Affairs Officer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jocques Scott Clemmons, 31, the gunman shot by East Precinct Flex Officer Josh
Lippert shortly after 1 p.m. today on S. 6th Street in the James Cayce public housing
development, died during surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Lippert fired on Clemmons, who was carrying a fully loaded .357 magnum pistol, after
two separate physical confrontations.
Lippert, who was in full uniform driving an unmarked police car, saw Clemmons run a
stop sign from a parking lot that empties onto S. 6th Street. Clemmons had parked his SUV
outside a Cayce Homes building and was getting out when Lippert drove up to talk with him
about running the stop sign. Cayce Homes video shows that Clemmons abruptly charged at
Officer Lippert, making full contact with his body. Clemmons then ran through the parking
lot and appeared to be clutching something in his waistband. Lippert gave chase and soon
caught up with Clemmons. A second physical confrontation ensued as Lippert attempted to
take Clemmons into custody. Clemmons went to the ground, at which point the .357
magnum dropped to the concrete. Lippert spotted the gun and attempted to kick at it and
Clemmons arm to prevent him from picking it up. Clemmons retrieved the pistol. Despite
repeated commands from Lippert for Clemmons to drop the gun, Clemmons refused.
Clemmons and Lippert were within a few feet of each other as Clemmons continued to move
with gun in hand. Lippert, believing he was in imminent danger, fired on Clemmons just as
Clemmons was turning to move between two parked vehicles. Lippert fired three times.
Clemmons was hit in the lower left back by what is presently believed to have been two
rounds.
After Clemmons was hit, Lippert and fellow officers rendered first aid until Fire
Department personnel arrived. Officer Lippert retrieved Clemmons gun from the parking lot
and placed it into a police car for safekeeping. The gun was on a police car floorboard when
it was photographed (see attached picture of the weapon).
Clemmons was convicted of a cocaine felony in 2014 and received an eight-year
probated sentence. As a convicted felon, it would be a violation of both state and federal law
to possess the pistol. It is not known why Clemmons reacted the way he did to Officer
Lippert. The fact that he was illegally carrying a gun in public housing may have been the
reason.
Lippert, a five-year veteran, is on routine administrative assignment while the shooting
is investigated. Members of the District Attorneys Office were also on the scene, as is
protocol in officer-involved shootings.
 East Precinct Flex Units have stepped up their visibility in Cayce Homes after an
increase in the number of aggravated assaults in the area. Through February 7 there had been
36 in 2017, compared to 10 during the same period last year.

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