In the summer of 2016, a cycle of violence unfolded in Alexandria, Virginia, beginning with the daylight shooting of 28-year-old Pierre Clark. On June 8th, at approximately 12:35 p.m., police responded to the 1000 block of Montgomery Street where they found Clark suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to his upper body. He was rushed to Inova Alexandria Hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later. The brazen midday shooting, in the neighborhood where Clark grew up, prompted a temporary lockdown of nearby schools and public facilities. In the days that followed, a memorial of flowers, candles, and a painting of Clark adorned a tree near the scene of his death, as friends and family gathered for a candlelight vigil to remember a man they described as a stylish and outgoing father who was working to turn his life around after a recent release from jail.
The investigation into Pierre Clark's death quickly focused on a suspect, Saquan Hall. Although police did not immediately name a suspect, the belief that Hall was responsible for Clark's murder took root. This belief would have deadly consequences less than a month later. In what was described as an act of retaliation, Pierre Clark's brother, DiJuan Marquie Clark, took matters into his own hands. On July 2, 2016, DiJuan Clark spotted Hall in the 1000 block of First Street in Old Town. He opened fire and continued to chase Hall, ultimately shooting him in the head. Hall later died at a hospital.
The Alexandria Police Department's investigation into Pierre Clark's homicide identified Saquan Hall as the shooter. However, with Hall deceased, the case took an unusual turn. In May 2017, the Alexandria Police Department, in conjunction with the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office, announced that the investigation into Pierre Clark's murder was officially closed. The closure was a direct result of the death of the sole suspect, Saquan Hall. While justice for Pierre Clark would not be served in a courtroom, the legal system did address the subsequent act of vengeance.
DiJuan Marquie Clark was arrested for the murder of Saquan Hall and, in March 2017, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and a firearm charge. He confessed to killing Hall, stating his belief that Hall had murdered his brother. In July 2017, a judge sentenced DiJuan Clark to 31 years in prison for the revenge killing. He was also ordered to pay for Hall's funeral expenses. The sentencing marked the conclusion of a violent saga that left two men dead and a family grappling with the devastating consequences of street justice.
