On a summer afternoon in Atlanta, the life of 23-year-old Calvin Clark Jr., a male, was tragically cut short in what began as a robbery over a few dollars. On July 14, 2017, outside the apartment on Newtown Circle that he shared with his girlfriend, Clark was confronted by two young men. Aware of their intentions, he reportedly reached for his own handgun for protection, but was too late.
The assailants opened fire, striking him in the leg.
Wounded, Clark turned and ran towards his front porch before collapsing. He ultimately died at the scene from massive blood loss. Following the shooting, one of the attackers grabbed Clark's handgun from him before they both fled the scene. The senseless killing devastated his family, who held a vigil that helped police gather crucial leads in the investigation.
The investigation led to the arrests of 19-year-old Scean Mitchell and 20-year-old Jaquavious Johnson. It was revealed during court proceedings that the robbery had been planned for weeks. The case against the two men was strengthened by witness testimony, including a harrowing account from a neighbor whom Mitchell threatened the day after the murder for speaking with detectives. He allegedly warned her that if he found out she had talked, he would put her in a body bag where her family would never see her again.
In April 2018, a Fulton County jury convicted both Mitchell and Johnson. The charges included murder, felony murder, armed robbery, aggravated assault, and participation in criminal street gang activity. Mitchell was also found guilty of influencing a witness. For their roles in the death of Calvin Clark Jr., both men were sentenced to two consecutive life sentences plus an additional 25 years in prison, ensuring they would be held accountable for the life they had taken.
