Tear shed first from soppy individual (3)
I believe the answer is:
rip
'tear' is the definition.
('rip' can be a synonym of 'tear')
I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for rip that I've seen before include "Louche character" , "Severely criticise" , "Letters often seen on gravestone" , "Tear, rend" , "Tear roughly; turbulent water" .)