CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – The Clarksville Police Department has charged a man with reckless homicide in the April 10 shooting death of 17-year-old Justin Neves.
Dominic Miceli, 22, was arrested Tuesday, Aug. 11, and charged with reckless homicide and aggravated assault. Micelli will be booked into the Montgomery County Jail.
Justin’s mother, Jillian Neves, had been frustrated that no charges had been filed in the three months after the shooting.
“We all have anger,” she told Clarksville Now in an interview. “I’m devastated, that I will never see him grow into the man he was becoming. I will never see my son get married, have babies, graduate … his milestones were stolen from me.”
Justin was a junior at Northwest High School. He was in the EMT program and ran track for the school’s team.
Detective Michael Ulrey, with the Clarksville Police Homicide Unit has been working extensively on the case. The investigation revealed that Justin was accidentally killed by Miceli, who was recklessly handling a firearm, according to a CPD news release.
“In cases of accidental deaths where the suspect is cooperative, and there is no danger to the public, investigative techniques can differ,” the release said. “These cases allow time for a full forensic medical exam to be completed and reviewed to verify or disprove the suspect’s version of events. These cases are often then presented to the Montgomery County Grand Jury for their final decision on the appropriate charge based on the evidence.”
Jillian Neves said news of the arrest brought an array of feelings.
“I feel relief that Justin’s voice has been heard and something is finally happening,” Neves said Tuesday.” I’m also anxious that (Dominic) will be bonded out and will be free until his trial, if there is a trial. Justin’s story still needs to be told, it’s not finished yet.”
The shooting
Justin left for work on April 10 to work with Miceli doing home improvement and appraisals, Neves said.
Minutes before Justin’s 9:30 p.m. curfew, Neves got a call saying there had been an accident with a gun.
Neves sped to Miceli’s home on Danielle Drive and was stopped by a police officer as she tried to run into the house.
“I told him I needed to see my son. The cop said, ‘I’m sorry to tell you your son is dead.’”
A Clarksville Police incident report previously obtained by Clarksville Now said that at 9:22 that night, police responded to a shooting that had already occurred.
Justin’ death certificate, obtained by Clarksville Now, lists his manner of death as a homicide and the cause as gunshot wound to the head. It also states his body was sent for an autopsy.
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