Ozark man charged with murder

OZARK – A man charged with murder for a shooting death in Skipperville on Thursday never fired a bullet, but he is believed to have been involved with events leading up to the death, authorities said.

Dale County Sheriff Wally Olson said 21-year-old Antavius Mills of Ozark assisted 32-year-old Trent Clark of Clio in beating and attempting to kill a 16-year-old who Clark accused of stealing marijuana. The 16 year old ended up shooting and killing Clark, but isn’t facing charges.

Mills was charged with felony murder, first-degree kidnapping, and attempted murder.

Olson said Mills and Clark allegedly tied up and placed the teenager in a car trunk overnight before driving him to Beaver Pond on Private Road 1325 in Skipperville on Thursday morning.

Olson said Clark then forced the teenager at gunpoint into the water in Beaver Pond, but that the teen was able to untie himself and get out of the water. The teen wrestled the gun away and shot Clark with one of two rounds fired before fleeing to Highway 105 for help.

A resident later found Clark and called 911.

Olson said preliminary interviews show Mills rode along to help Clark.

“This all appears to have happened because Clark accused (the teen) of stealing marijuana, so he wanted to make an example out of him. … Because Mills was there and appears to have helped, law allows for him to be charged with the criminal activity that transpired,” Olson said.

Olson said the relationship between all three men had yet to be established as of Friday.

The teen was listed in stable condition at a hospital as of Friday evening, Olson said.

Olson said his department was assisted by both the Echo and Skipperville rescue squads, Barbour and Houston county sheriff’s offices, Clio and Ozark police departments, and the Alabama Bureau of Investigation.

Interviews were still being conducted Friday morning.

“What we have is a 10-acre crime scene, so we appreciate the assistance,” Olson said.