New Leads Take Clements Murder Investigation To Texas

MONUMENT, Colo. (CBS4) - Detectives with the El Paso County Sheriff's office are still trying to determine who shot Tom Clements, Colorado's corrections chief, and what the motive might have been for the Tuesday night slaying.

Clements, the executive director of the Colorado Department of Corrections, was killed after he answered the door at his home in Monument at approximately 8:30 p.m.

While search teams were looking around the property and in the surrounding wooded areas in the hours for evidence on Wednesday, the scene where the crime took place is now quiet. There was no police presence around the home when a CBS4 crew drove there Thursday morning.

But law enforcement officers in Texas investigated a possible link between a high speed chase in Texas and the murder of Clements.

Residents CBS4 spoke with said they are surprised by the violent act that took place in their neighborhood.

"We don't have things like that happen here," said David Farrell.

Farrell and other neighbors wonder if Clements' position with the state could point police in the right direction.

"Obviously a Department of Corrections person has made enemies," said Patrick Quinlen.

Right now the clue police want the public to focus on is a suspicious car seen near the home 15 minutes before the shooting.

RELATED STORY: Texas Officers Investigate Chase Link To Clements Murder

"It's described as being a two-door car, very boxy either black or dark-colored. It's also being described as being very shiny," said Kramer. "It was observed to be occupied by one person. We have no description on that one person."

Police say they also want to speak to a woman who was power-walking or doing some other kind of exercise in the neighborhood around the time of the shooting. They said she is not a suspect but they think she might have some answers for them. She is asked to call (719) 520-7225.

Authorities are also checking nearby shopping centers for any sort of surveillance video that could provide more clues.

Whether a random act of violence or targeted crime, Clements leaves behind a wife and two daughters.

A public memorial service is planned Monday for Clements. It will begin at 10 a.m. Monday at New Life Church located at 11025 Voyager Parkway in Colorado Springs, one day after a private funeral will be held for him. Details of the private funeral Sunday have not been released.

Clements Family Statement

The family of Tom Clements released this statement Wednesday afternoon:

"We are thankful for the overwhelming support and concern that we have received in the wake of Tom's death. Our family has lost a devoted husband and a beloved father. There are no words at this time to describe our grief and loss. We thank our friends and those praying for us here and across the nation. Your well-wishes and prayers bring us strength. We appreciate your continued respect for our privacy during this terrible loss."