Temujin Clark

Temujin “Tim” Clark, a 43-year-old White / Caucasian man known for his good heart and sense of humor, was a beloved son and friend in his Denver, Colorado community. A former student of Grant Middle School and Denver South High School, Tim was remembered by loved ones for his beautiful smile and for being a great, content person. His life was tragically cut short in a violent encounter with his own father on the night of April 23, 2016.

Earlier that Saturday evening, Tim had been spending time with his father, 62-year-old Dannie Clark, at his home in the 1500 block of Vrain Street, near Sloan's Lake. The two were playing a football video game and, by his father’s own account to police, had each consumed about three shots of alcohol and one beer. An argument erupted between them, prompting Dannie to leave the residence. According to the statement Dannie later gave to investigators, he fell on some rocks as he was leaving, which he believed was because his son had pushed him. He alleged that Tim then kicked him in the legs and buttocks while he was on the ground.

In what became a fatal escalation, Dannie Clark retrieved a .25 caliber semi-automatic handgun from his backpack. He told police he crawled toward the street, stood up, and threatened his son, saying, "I will kill you." He claimed that as Tim approached him, he fired the weapon, believing he shot twice. Just after 10 p.m., it was Dannie Clark himself who called the Denver Police. Out of breath, he repeatedly told the dispatcher that he had shot his son.

When officers arrived at the scene, they found Temujin Clark lying in the street with multiple gunshot wounds to his chest. A neighbor, who was a medical assistant, heard the shots from her window and rushed outside to help. She found Temujin barely breathing and gasping for air. The witness saw Dannie Clark nearby on the phone, with the gun on the ground next to him. She told reporters that Dannie openly admitted, "I shot my son," and that he "looked like he wasn't very remorseful." The witness also noted that she could smell alcohol on both Temujin and his father. Temujin Clark was rushed to Denver Health Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. An autopsy later confirmed the cause of death was gunshot wounds and ruled the manner of death a homicide.

The Denver Police Department took Dannie Clark into custody at the scene. At DPD headquarters, after being read his rights, he agreed to speak with detectives about the incident. During his interview, he alleged that his son had assaulted him in the past, claiming one such altercation had resulted in the loss of one of his eyes. Public records indicated that Dannie Clark had a prior history of arrests for DUI and assault. He was subsequently held on investigation of first-degree murder and made his first court appearance the following Monday.

A memorial service for Temujin Clark was held on Friday, May 6, 2016, at the Archdiocese of Denver Mortuary, followed by his interment at Mount Olivet Cemetery. He is survived by his mother, Jeress Mondragon, and other loving family members. Friends and family shared their grief, with one cousin writing, "Cousin Tim you left earth too soon, I miss you so much." Another friend remembered the "fun times" and was thankful for pictures they had to cherish. As of the latest available reports from April 2016, Dannie Clark was in custody facing a first-degree murder charge. The final disposition of the criminal case is not detailed in publicly available records.