Ozark teen charged with attempted murder of cop

OZARK – Alcohol may have been a factor in a two-minute scuffle between a teenager and a veteran Ozark police officer who was shot at several times early Wednesday morning, according to authorities.

Ozark Police Chief Tony Spivey said the officer, whose name was not released, stopped to question why 19-year-old Bryan Bowman was walking in the road at the intersection of East Andrews Avenue and West College Street around 12:30 a.m. Spivey said it is protocol for an officer to question anyone walking that early in a residential area or business district.

Spivey said Bowman became combative. When the officer attempted to retrieve a Taser, Spivey said Bowman reached into his waistband for a handgun and fired at the officer three to five times.

At least one bullet hit the officer’s patrol vehicle, but none struck the officer, Spivey said. The officer did not return fire because Bowman fled into a residential area.

“The officer was actually behind the suspect when he began to fire. I don’t know how (the officer) didn’t get shot, but he was certainly fortunate,” Spivey said.

“The officer responded to the incident by not shooting into the residential area, as he should have. The decision was a result of his instinct and training.”

Bowman was arrested and charged with attempted murder around 1 a.m. while trying to enter a shed on Ketchum Street, Spivey said.

He was placed in the Dale County Jail under no bond.

Spivey said a preliminary investigation showed alcohol may have been a factor. While the patrol car had video of the incident, Spivey said the video was currently used as evidence and would not be released.

Spivey said the officer has been with the department about five years and returned to work Wednesday after being treated for minor injuries.