Nashville police officer fatally shoots man after he bolted from traffic stop

A Nashville man was shot and killed by a police officer after a foot chase triggered a series of scuffles and gunfire on Friday afternoon, authorities said.

Jocques Scott Clemmons ran a stop sign around 1 p.m. and was subsequently pulled over by officer Josh Lippert, who was riding in an unmarked car in the city's East End neighborhood, according to a release from the Metro Nashville Police Department. 

As Lippert got out of his cruiser, surveillance video provided by police shows Clemmons tackling the officer to the ground before running off. Lippert quickly got to his feet and chased after Clemmons.  

A second fight broke out as Lippert tried to arrest Clemmons in a nearby parking lot, cops said. In the commotion, Clemmons stumbled to the ground, dropping a revolver he had been keeping in his waistband, officials said. 

Josh Lippert (left) is on administrative assignment after shooting Jocques Scott Clemmons (right) during a struggle.

 (METRO NASHVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT)

Lippert tried to kick the gun away, but Clemmons allegedly picked it up, and refused to drop it despite shouted commands, according to cops. 

"Lippert, believing he was in imminent danger, fired on Clemmons just as Clemmons was turning to move between two parked vehicles," police said in a statement.

Lippert fired three shots, fatally striking Clemmons in the lower back. 

Surveillance video provided by cops showed Lipper opening fire at Clemmons. 

 (METROPOLITAN NASHVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT)

Clemmons was taken to a local hospital, but could not be saved. 

Police shared a picture of a loaded .357 magnum on their Twitter account, and said it belonged to the victim.

Lippert,a five-year veteran, was placed on administrative assignment as the shooting is being investigated.

Clemmons was convicted of a drug felony in 2014, and was not allowed to carry a firearm due to his probation status, cops said. 

It was not immediately clear why Clemmons charged at Lippert, though cops speculated that carrying a loaded firearm illegally could have been a reason. 

But nearby resident Brenda Morrow mused that the shooting could prompt some skepticism.

"A person is shot in the back," Morrow told The Tennessean. "That means he's fleeing; he's no threat."    

Link: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/nashville-police-shoot-man-foot-chase-article-1.2969481