Three men plead guilty to federal charges in connection with july 11, 2011 gunfight near hadley park
Finis Lewis, 33, a/k/a “Gangsta Bit,” Quinten Smith, 26, a/k/a “QT,” and Corey Lynn Smith, 26, all of Nashville, Tennessee, pleaded guilty yesterday to federal crimes related to a shootout near Hadley Park in Nashville, Tennessee on July 11, 2011, announced Jerry E. Martin, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee.
Over 100 rounds were fired in this gun battle, and one person, Clarence Claybrooks, of Nashville, was killed. Defendants Finis Lewis and Corey Lynn Smith were also shot during this incident. Federal agents as well as the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department are continuing to investigate this incident.
Finis Lewis pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and illegally possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number. Quinten Smith pleaded guilty to unlawfully possessing a firearm after being convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. Corey Smith pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and with making false official statements to federal agents. All are set for sentencing on December 1, 2011 at 9 a.m. before Chief United States District Judge Todd Campbell. At that hearing, Judge Campbell will decide whether to accept the plea agreements, which call for sentences of 80 months in prison for Finis Lewis and Corey Smith and 36 months in prison for Quinten Smith. These sentences are to be followed by up to three years of supervised release which requires the defendants to comply with conditions set by the Court. All three defendants remain in custody, without bond, pending the sentencing hearing.
U.S. Attorney Jerry Martin stated, “This violent gunfight endangered people who were in their homes or enjoying one of Nashville’s parks. Federal agents and Metro officers worked diligently to obtain extremely speedy results which will keep these defendants in custody for illegally possessing these firearms. The investigation into this incident continues, and we welcome any information which will identify any one else who was involved.”
According to the statement of facts for these plea agreements, all three defendants participated in the shootout on July 11, 2011, while illegally possessing firearms in violation of federal law. On that day, at approximately 2:45pm, the shooting began on Albion Street, across from Hadley Park. Investigators determined that over 100 rounds were fired from at least four separate caliber firearms during the incident.
As a result of the shooting, one person, Clarence Claybrooks a/k/a Lil’ Bo, was killed and defendant Corey Smith was critically injured. The deceased, who was wearing gloves, had an AK-47 rifle at his feet. Occupied homes were hit by gunfire, as well as an occupied vehicle near the park during the assault, including the headrest of the occupied front passenger seat, the driver seat, and the windshield.
After the shootout and while being pursued by law enforcement officers, Finis Lewis discarded his firearm by throwing it over a fence and onto the property of a nearby daycare center. The investigation also determined that the defendants had expended all of the ammunition in their weapons during the shootout.
The investigation into this incident continues by the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department and the ATF. Assistant United States Attorney Sunny A.M. Koshy is representing the government.
