Unsolved Murders

Liburn Evitts
July 09, 2020

STATUS: OPEN

NASHVILLE (WSMV) - "Devastating. Hurt," Barbara Short said. "Destroyed. I mean, why would somebody run off after hitting someone like that?... What if that was their parent laying there?"

Short's father, Liburn Evitts, was 77 years old when he was truck by a car on News Providence Road and left to die. "He was a walker," his daughter-in-law, Nicole Leyva explained. "He walked New Providence downtown. People knew him by walking around town collecting golf balls."

Police said Evitts was hit by a four-door sedan just after 11:00 p.m on July 9. Surveillance video isn't clear enough to make out an exact model. "Accidents happen, you know, things like that happen," Leyva said, "but you stop and call 911. You stop and offer help." Police estimate Evitts was left on the side of the road 45 minutes before someone called for help.

"He maybe, possibly could’ve e been saved," Short said. "He never did anything to anybody to deserve nothing [sic] like this. Never."

Investigators said it will take witnesses coming forward to solve this case. Crime Stoppers is offering a crash reward for any information leading to an arrest. Tips can be made anonymously.

"Just come forth," Short pleaded. "We know it was an accident, but now you’ve made it more of an accident by leaving the scene of an accident. If you could just come forth and tell what you did."

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July 10, 2020

Police in Clarksville are looking for a car in connection with a death of a pedestrian late Thursday night.

Police said 77-year-old Lilburn L. Evitts, of Clarksville, died in what investigators are calling a "pedestrian fatality."

Police said Evitts was killed near Providence Boulevard and Plum Street.

On Monday, police said they are looking for a four-door car with damage to the front passenger side headlight area. Investigators said they believe the car could be a 2016, 2017, and 2018 Nissan Altima.

Anyone with information about the incident can call police at 931-648-0656, ext. 5251 or the Tipsline 931-645-8477. You can also submit a tip anonymously by clicking here.

After nearly three months without answers, a Clarksville family is pleading for answers in the hit and run that killed their father

Tavon Wilson
January 08, 2018

STATUS: OPEN

Clarksville police are investigating a homicide that occurred on the morning of Sunday, January 8, 2018, at an apartment at 119 Bennett Drive.

Officers responded to a shooting at the location around 10:45 a.m. When they arrived they found 23-year-old Tavon Wilson of Clarksville dead from a gunshot wound. No one else was inside the apartment at the time.

The case is being investigated as a homicide. The crime scene was processed and detectives are following leads, but are not currently looking for a specific person.

If you have information about this crime, please call Crime Stoppers at 931-645-TIPS, or go to www.p3tips.com, and leave a web tip. Crime Stoppers pays up to $1000.00 for information leading to an arrest in felony cases. All tipsters remain anonymous.

Police identify victim of fatal shooting on Bennett Drive

Ray Charles Nelson
November 10, 2017

STATUS: OPEN

On 11/10/2017 around 5:34 pm, Ray Charles Nelson was found shot to death near 140 Chapel St.

Surveillance footage shows suspects in Chapel Street murder

Steven Everett Davies
March 01, 2017

STATUS: OPEN

On July 20, 2010, skeletal remains were located in a wooded area off Terminal Road, Clarksville Tennessee. The remains were ultimately identified as Navy veteran Steven Everett Davies and the Medical Examiner’s Office ruled his death as a homicide. Interviews revealed that Davies kept to himself and was living in the area around Terminal Road and also behind the Kmart on Wilma Rudolph Boulevard.

Crime Stoppers asking for public’s help solving 2010 homicide

Dorris Clinard Murder
November 28, 2016

STATUS: OPEN

On July 27, 2007, 57-year-old Dorris Clinard was discovered deceased outside his residence on West Park Drive.

Clarksville police seek info in 2007 cold case death

Fran Caratini Murder
November 28, 2016

STATUS: IN CUSTODY

ARREST MADE IN THE HOMICIDE OF FRAN CARANTINI

Detectives with the Clarksville Police Department's Special Operations Homicide Unit have made an arrest in the August 14th, 2014 murder of Fran Daniel Caratini. Caratini was found dead from gunshot wounds, in the Chapel Street area, after patrol officers responded to a call of "shots fired" in that area.

Solid leads were developed during the initial investigation, but after a period of time, the case went "cold" and the original detective that was assigned to the case left the Homicide Unit. The case was recently re-assigned to Detective Keenan Carlton for a review with a "fresh set of eyes". Detective Carlton was able to further develop pre-existing leads and bring closure to the case and for the family of Caratini, who had two children at the time of his death.

Shaquille Dwayne Miles was arrested at approximately 8 am on Friday, October 23, 2020 at his place of employment by detectives with the Clarksville Police Department's Homicide Unit and deputies with the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office's Warrant Division. Miles has been charged with Criminal Homicide and is being held in the Montgomery County Jail.

Clarksville Police Chief David Crockarell stated, "Just because leads dry up and a case goes "cold"; we don't forget about it. We revisit it until we can bring closure to the victim's family." Chief Crockarell went on to say, "Also, I want to commend the members of the Special Operations Homicide Unit for their tireless effort and dedication in bringing closure to this case."

More arrests are possible. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Detective Carlton at (931) 648-0656 ext. 5172, Tipsline, (931) 645-8477, or go online and submit a tip anonymously @ P3tips.com/591

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On August 14, 2014, Officers of the Clarksville Police Department responded to a shooting that already occurred at 138 Chapel Street. Fran Caratini was found deceased at the scene.

Clarksville man’s murder remains unsolved after 2 years

Darius Walton
June 12, 2016

STATUS: OPEN

One person was killed and another injured in a shooting outside a Clarksville apartment complex early on June 12, 2016.

It happened at Hunter Hills Apartments on Jack Miller Boulevard around 12:45 a.m.

Clarksville police said 20-year-old Darius Walton was found dead at the scene and Jordan Choate, 18, was injured in the shooting.

The shooting remains under investigation.

One dead, another wounded in shooting on Jack Miller Blvd.

Jonas Russell Gray
October 08, 2010

STATUS: SOLVED

UPDATE - AUGUST 11, 2020 - SUSPECT ARRESTED

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Clarksville Police Department has arrested in a nearly ten-year-old Clarksville, TN cold case.

Michael L. Gray has been indicted by the Montgomery County Grand Jury in the death of his grandfather, Jonas Russell Gray.

Jonas Gray was found deceased in his home on October 6, 2010, and it was determined that he suffered from a gunshot wound. Property was also believed to be missing from the residence, according to a news release from Clarksville Police Department.

Jonas Gray was the owner of the Family Barber Shop for 53 years

Michael Gray is charged with First Degree Murder and Felony Theft.

His bond has been set at $100,000.

The lead detective is Michael Ulrey.

August 11, 2020 Arrest of Michael L. Gray

8 Records