Jeremy Dean Clark, a 32-year-old male from Newland, North Carolina, tragically passed away on June 27, 2022. Jeremy, affectionately known as "Gerb," was born on January 25, 1990, in Avery County. He was the son of Wanda Ledbetter and Ronnie Clark. Jeremy was known for his love of riding his four-wheeler, hunting, and cherishing his family. He was deeply loved by his girlfriend, Keetha Black, and her daughter, Madie, whom he protected with his whole life.
On the evening of June 27, 2022,
a domestic dispute escalated into a deadly shootout at 6376 Rhododendron Run, Newland, NC. The Burke County 911 Center received a call at 5:32 p.m. regarding the shooting. Due to the proximity to the Avery County line, Burke County Deputies requested assistance from Avery County Deputies. Upon arrival, they found three individuals had been shot. Polly Ann Keller, a 56-year-old female, died at the scene. Jeremy Dean Clark and Anthony Simon Franklin, a 33-year-old male, both died en route to the hospital.
The preliminary investigation indicated that two of the three deceased individuals had fired shots. The incident was believed to be related to a domestic situation. The Burke County Sheriff's Office CID detectives continued the investigation and planned to share their findings with the District Attorney upon completion.
The tragic event left the community in shock and mourning. Jeremy's family and friends remembered him as a kind-hearted individual with a larger-than-life personality. His untimely death, along with the deaths of Polly Ann Keller and Anthony Simon Franklin, highlighted the devastating consequences of domestic violence and the importance of addressing such issues within the community.
