Jayden Ruggles, 22, fatally shot in Clarksville, Tennessee

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Clarksville Man Fatally Shot in Apparent Relationship Dispute; Suspect Charged

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (DailyKenn.com) — A 22-year-old man died after being shot in a late-night altercation near downtown Clarksville, prompting the arrest of a 19-year-old suspect on a criminal homicide charge, authorities said.

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Jayden Ruggles was fatally wounded around 10 p.m. Wednesday in the 500 block of Franklin Street, one block south of Austin Peay State University and on the eastern edge of the city's historic district. Officers responded to reports of gunfire near the intersection of Main Street and University Avenue, where they found Ruggles suffering from at least one gunshot wound. He was transported to Tennova Healthcare, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

Investigators identified 19-year-old Jeremiah Sanders of Clarksville as the shooter. Sanders was arrested Thursday and booked into Montgomery County Jail on a single count of criminal homicide. No bond information was immediately available. Police described the incident as isolated and stemming from a relationship-related conflict, separate from another fatal shooting in the city earlier that week on Ringgold Road.

Ruggles, born Aug. 22, 2003, in Urbana, Illinois, was remembered by family as having a big heart and a kind, genuine spirit. A visitation is scheduled for 1-3 p.m. Tuesday at Sykes Funeral Home in Clarksville, with a full obituary to follow. Next-of-kin have been notified, and authorities urged anyone with information to contact Detective Ryan Hofinga at 931-648-0656, ext. 5720, or submit anonymous tips to the Clarksville Montgomery County Crime Stoppers at 931-645-8477 or P3tips.com/591.

The shooting marks the second homicide in Clarksville in less than 24 hours, though police emphasized the cases are unrelated. Detectives continue to investigate the circumstances leading to the gunfire.