Police Identify Tuscaloosa Man Killed In Officer-Involved Shooting Wednesday

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit on Thursday identified a Tuscaloosa man killed Wednesday in an officer-involved shooting.

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Captain Jack Kennedy, commander of the unit, identified the man as 24-year-old Tristan Decedric Clark, going on to say that his identity was withheld to allow the family time to make notifications

As Patch previously reported, Kennedy on Wednesday said Clark was armed with a handgun and refused to comply with demands by officers during a traffic stop on a public road in Bowers Park.

Kennedy said the vehicle was occupied by several subjects when the two TPD officers initiated a traffic stop as part of a narcotics investigation on 37th Street East, near the intersection of James I. Harrison Parkway.

He explained that the man in the back seat was found to have an outstanding warrant and went on to say that when the officer was asking the man to exit he vehicle, the officer observed a handgun in the man's waistband.

"The officer ordered the suspect to not touch the firearm," Kennedy said. "The suspect began reaching for the pistol and the officer engaged in a physical altercation with the suspect attempting to keep the suspect from removing it."

Kennedy then said Clark was able to remove the handgun from his waistband and refused commands from officers to drop the gun.

"One officer fired his weapon and the suspect was struck several times," Kennedy said. "Medical and backup officers were called immediately and rendered aid, but the suspect was deceased."

He went on to say the investigation remains ongoing and will be evaluated by the Tuscaloosa County District Attorney's office before being sent to a grand jury, which is standard procedure in cases involving law enforcement's use of deadly force.

"This just occurred, " Kennedy explained to reporters earlier in the day. "I know in the modern era of cell phones things move quickly but we have to do this in order. ... I don't want to get it wrong. This is going to be a transparent process but it's going to be done methodically, the same as any other. There's some extra steps to add some extra care in this case to be fair and as just as possible."

As Patch previously reported, the case is being investigated by the multiagency Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit, which is following the longstanding protocol of investigating the case without VCU personnel employed by the Tuscaloosa Police Department.

Per Tuscaloosa Police Department protocol, both officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave.

During Wednesday afternoon's press conference at the Sheriff Beasor B. Walker Law Enforcement Complex, Tuscaloosa Police Chief Brent Blankley joined Kennedy and asked the community to be patient as the investigation moves forward.

"Based on the facts I have, I'm confident our officers acted the way they need to have acted to make sure they go home safe," Blankley said. "We're going to be there for our officers, as well, and make sure they get any mental health treatment that they need after going through a traumatic event. It's traumatic for everybody involved and no one wants to see this at all."

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