GASTONIA, N.C. — Two sons are grieving the loss of their father, Clifford Scoggin, who died over the weekend.
Cliff Scoggin was shot in the knee, chest, and temple by his friend’s ex-boyfriend and survived in a hospital for several days.
Cliff Scoggin was trying to rebuild his life after being released from prison about a month ago.
“Dad was a tough man, obviously,” said Dustin Scoggin, his son. “He spent almost a week in the hospital fighting for his life.”
Dustin Scoggin held his father’s hand in the hospital Saturday morning as his dad took his last breath.
“It was a little bit of a relief to know he’s not hurting. He went peacefully.” Dustin Scoggin said.
Scoggin, 61, served time for causing a serious crash.
He spent a lot of the last month of freedom with his family.
His stepson, Jas Taylor, had a conversation with him two weeks before the shooting.
Taylor said they didn’t say much.
“I thought that we would catch up later on,” Taylor said.
Cliff Scoggin went to visit a former girlfriend at her home on Osceola Street on March 26.
A jealous ex-boyfriend came over, beat her in the parking lot, and threatened to kill her, police say.
Cliff Scoggin could have left then but didn’t.
“He’s not that kind of man,” Dustin Scoggin said. “He’s not going to run from it.”
Because of that, police said Calvin Black turned the gun on Cliff Scoggin.
The former girlfriend called 911.
“Please don’t! Please,” the 911 caller said.
“I told you if you love me, you wouldn’t leave me for him. I’ll kill this guy,” said the alleged shooter.
“Please!” the caller said.
“Didn’t I say that?” the shooter said.
“Yea,” the caller replied.
Police went into the house and exchanged gunfire with Black, killing him.
The sons say they are thankful for those officers.
“I’m grateful for them and what they did,” Dustin Scoggin said. “I hope it doesn’t lay on their hearts.”
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