On Saturday, October 24 the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office investigated an early morning shooting which left one person in the hospital with a gunshot wound and the suspect behind bars.
The investigation began when deputies were called to the Lake City Medical Center due to a patient with a gunshot wound. Deputies learned that the victim had been shot by a known subject, Jeffery Clark Jr 25 of Lake City while in a room at the Budget Inn. After the shooting, Clark drove the victim to the hospital for treatment.
Clark was detained at the hospital as detectives arrived and assumed the investigation.
The preliminary investigation revealed that Victim met with Clark in the early morning and that Clark got in Victim’s car uninvited. Once in the car, Clark insisted Victim take him to his grandmother’s house. Victim asked if he was “serious” and Clark produced a handgun and threatened Victim. Once at the home, Clark told Victim to take him to the store. After the store Clark told Victim to go to the Budget Inn where he forced Victim to get a room. Once in the room Clark made sexual advances toward Victim, which were rejected. Victim went into the bathroom, and a short time later Clark fired the gun through the door and stuck Victim in the lower body.
Jeffery Clark Jr. was arrested and booked into the Columbia County Detention Facility for Aggravated Battery, Attempted Sexual Battery, Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Tampering with Evidence, all with no bond.
Victim is in stable condition.
This is an active and ongoing investigation.
Crime Scene at Budget Inn
Booking Photo of Jeffery Clark Jr.
