Man killed in Chattanooga was known gang member and brother of TN House candidate

Jeremy Clark, 28, was shot and killed on Glass Street around 1:15 a.m. July 29, 2016.
Jeremy Clark, 28, was shot and killed on Glass Street around 1:15 a.m. July 29, 2016.

A 28-year-old who was shot and killed on Glass Street just after 1 a.m. Friday was the brother of Dennis Clark, a Democrat who is running for Tennessee House District 28 seat.

Jeremy Clark was in a lot at 2008 Glass St. with several other people when he was shot once. Police said Friday they were still working out exactly what happened, but it does not appear the shooting was a drive-by.

Court records show Jeremy Clark is a known member of the Gangster Disciples, but police have not said whether the shooting was connected to his gang involvement.

His death ends a three-week break in homicides in the city. The last person to be killed in Chattanooga was shot on July 5 during a particularly violent holiday weekend in which two other people also were killed.

A suspect has not been named or arrested in Clark's death.

Following his brother's death, Dennis Clark released a statement Friday, giving his thanks for the outpouring of support he and his family had received from the community, saying he would continue his campaign despite the tragedy.

photo Dennis Clark is a Democratic candidate for the Tennessee House District 28 seat.

"As we struggle to understand why his life was taken so suddenly, my family and I have chosen, in his honor, as he would have liked it, to continue my campaign for change in our community and to fight to end the violence occurring in our neighborhoods," he said.

"There is no better time than now, for us to stand together in solidarity to begin the healing process in making our communities whole and safe again."

He went on to condemn the violence, lamenting for him and his family, the loss of a son, a brother, and a friend.

"No parent, brother, sister or friend should have to face this kind of sadness, this kind of loss. And yet we have joined the ranks of those families who still mourn their loved ones who have fallen to other senseless acts of violence," he said.

"He would want us to keep living life to the fullest. That is what we will try to do in the coming days as we mourn and celebrate the life of my dear brother."

Friends said Jeremy Clark was an outgoing, respectful guy with big dreams.

"Jeremy loved a home-cooked meal, especially when I prepared lasagna," said Lisa Collins, who said she was a longtime friend. "He always had a smile on his face when we saw him, and loved a hug."

She added that he always spoke highly of his family.

Jeremy Clark had a lengthy criminal record in Hamilton County, with charges ranging from driving on a revoked license to unlawful possession of a firearm and domestic assault.

He was last arrested in February 2015 by federal marshals and charged with failure to appear, records show.

Clark is the 21st person to be killed in Chattanooga so far in 2016. Like Clark, most of the people killed in this year were black men, with 13 of the 21 victims, or about 62 percent, black.

Three white people have been killed in Chattanooga this year, making up about 14 percent of 2016 homicides in the city.

Staff writer Emmett Gienapp contributed to this story.

Contact staff writer Shelly Bradbury at 423-757-6525 or sbradbury@timesfreepress.com with tips or story ideas. Follow @ShellyBradbury.

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