Don Ray Clark Sr. was a 63-year-old Black Army veteran who lived in the Dutchtown neighborhood of St. Louis and had diabetes, poor vision, hearing loss, and limited mobility. On the night of February 21, 2017, a St. Louis Metropolitan Police SWAT team executed a no-knock search warrant at his home. About 17 officers arrived, used a battering ram and threw a flash-bang into the front room where Clark was sleeping. Officer Nicholas Manasco fired an assault rifle multiple times, striking Clark nine times and killing him.

Police initially said officers were met with gunfire and that Clark had fired at them, and that two handguns and illegal drugs were recovered. Clark’s family and their attorneys disputed that account, saying he was unarmed, asleep, and physically incapable of the aggression described, and alleging the warrant was obtained with false information and that the seized drugs were not his. On June 30, 2021, Clark’s five children filed a federal lawsuit against the City of St. Louis and more than 20 officers, alleging wrongful death, excessive force, and civil rights violations; the department had cleared the officers and no criminal charges were reported.

Are there details from that night or from neighbors who knew Clark that could help clarify what happened?