Aries Clark

The Washington Post's Fatal Force database records Aries Clark in a fatal on-duty police shooting on 2017-07-25 in Marion, AR. Individual circumstances and legal outcome require case-specific review.

What happened

Aries Clark, 16, was shot by a Marion, Arkansas police officer on July 25, 2017, at East Arkansas Youth Services, an emergency shelter for minors. Clark was taken to a hospital but died from his injuries. His mother, Vicky Clark, said her son had been sent to the shelter because of difficulties at home, including running away, and that the family had been seeking therapy and support rather than punishment. His father likewise said Clark's behavior had prompted an effort to get help and that the family never expected the situation to end in a police killing. The shooting raised immediate questions about why officers used a firearm during an incident involving a child in a youth-care setting. Arkansas State Police investigated, and the family engaged legal representation, questioning whether a police-led investigation would adequately scrutinize the officers. Contemporary reports documented the location, his death and the family's perspective but did not establish a final prosecution decision.

Investigation & findings

Individual legal and investigative outcome not yet reviewed.

What happened

Investigation & findings

Sources & records