No charges are being placed at present in this morning’s fatal shooting of a man by a Clarksville Pike convenience store clerk as MNPD Homicide detectives continue to investigate the clerk’s claim of self-defense.
The deceased is identified as Cornell M. Evans, 23, whose ID lists a Memphis address.
North Precinct officers were dispatched to a shooting call at the 7-11 store, 3200 Clarksville Pike, at 5:30 a.m. The clerk, Devyon Johnson, 23, told detectives that Evans entered the store, went directly to the restroom and stayed there for an unusual period of time until Johnson asked him to get out. Johnson said Evans emerged agitated and furious as he berated him and other employees. After Evans was repeatedly asked to leave and exited the store, Johnson walked to the front of the parking lot to persuade Evans to get off the property. While on a sidewalk in front of the business, Johnson said Evans approached him aggressively and took a fighting stance. A physical fight ensued. Johnson said as he was being punched from behind, he drew a pistol and fired to protect himself. Evans was rushed to Vanderbilt University Medical Center where he died shortly after arrival.
Johnson provided a detailed statement to Homicide detectives. The case will be staffed with the District Attorney’s Office at the conclusion of the investigation.