Feds Close Case On Jocques Clemmons Shooting

NASHVILLE, TN — The Department of Justice determined no further action is necessary in its investigation of the fatal shooting of Jocques Clemmons by Metro Nashville police officer Joshua Lippert February 10 at the James Cayce Homes.

“The United States Attorney’s Office, in conjunction with the FBI and the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, has concluded the review of the investigations by the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation into the Jocques Clemmons deadly force incident. We conclude that no further investigation or action is warranted,” the U.S. Attorney's Office said in a statement.

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Following investigations by MNPD and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Nashville District Attorney General Glenn Funk did not charge Lippert after determining he acted in self-defense as Clemmons refused to drop a handgun.

An attorney for the Clemmons family told The Tennessean the federal government's decision showed a "lack of courage."

“The family is disappointed in the decision,” Michael Hoskins told the newspaper. “Under my investigation, it’s clear that Metro’s investigation was biased. It’s clear the TBI investigation was inadequate.”

Hoskins told the paper the family is still considering a civil lawsuit, because DNA evidence indicates Clemmons never held the gun in question.

Nashville NAACP president Ludye Wallace was also disappointed.

"Shooting a person down like a dog in the back multiple times and don't see how that can happen and ain't no charges," Wallace told Fox 17. "I think maybe [Lippert] needs to go to another force. I think he probably needs to be relieved of his job in Metro Government."

Images via Metro Nashville Police/The Clemmons family