NASHVILLE — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)), published as received.

NASHVILLE – Stephen E. Clark, 44, of Cross Plains, Tennessee, was charged in a federal criminal complaint with being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, announced Braden H. Boucek, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee.

“The mix of illegal firearms and domestic violence can often be deadly,” said U.S. Attorney Braden Boucek. “Prosecutions like these keep vulnerable victims safe from future gun violence and hold felons accountable for illegally possessing these weapons.”

According to court documents, on September 4, 2026, deputies with the Robertson County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) responded to a 911 call reporting that Clark was behaving aggressively, threatening to harm himself, and possibly armed with a firearm.

Upon arriving at the residence, deputies heard shouting and sounds of a physical altercation coming from inside the home. As deputies attempted to force entry through the front door, Clark allegedly brandished a firearm and pointed it at one of the deputies. The deputies immediately retreated and took cover behind their patrol vehicles.

Deputies subsequently learned that Clark's girlfriend, identified in court documents as M.D., remained inside the residence and that Clark was holding her hostage while threatening to kill both her and himself. After Clark slammed the front door, deputies heard a gunshot from inside the residence. Believing M.D.'s life was in imminent danger, deputies again forced entry into the home.

Once inside, a deputy fired a single shot at Clark. Clark then retreated into a bathroom, where he allegedly fired multiple rounds at the deputies.

M.D. later escaped from the residence and told deputies that Clark had fired a shot at her. She also reported that, while they were inside the bathroom, Clark held two pistols, pointing one at her and the other toward the bathroom door. According to M.D., Clark told her that they were both going to die. She further explained that she was able to escape after Clark fell asleep in the bathroom.

Deputies subsequently entered the bathroom and found Clark unconscious, with two pistols nearby.

At the time of the incident, Clark was prohibited from possessing firearms because of his prior felony convictions. His criminal history includes convictions in Davidson County, Tennessee, for theft of property valued at $1,000 or more but less than $10,000 and vandalism involving property damage of the same value. He also has prior convictions in Sumner County, Tennessee, for evading arrest involving a risk of death, reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon, and facilitation of especially aggravated burglary.

If convicted, Clark faces up to 15 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Robertson County Sheriff's Office investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Cooper R. Byers is prosecuting the case.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty, beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

####