James Mills
A Fort Walton Beach man shot following a fight at a home in Mary Esther July 28th now faces charges of his own.
The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office has arrested 26-year old James David Mills for burglary with battery or assault. Deputies responding to the shooting found Mills had been shot in the chin following an altercation at his ex-girlfriend’s house, 813 Hilltop Road. Mills was taken by helicopter to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola for treatment. The shooter, 28-year old Dustin Cooper of Navarre, was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Dustin Cooper
During the course of the investigation, it was discovered that Mills went into his exgirlfriend’s residence, found Cooper hiding inside a bedroom closet, and beat Cooper severely. As Mills was leaving on his motorcycle, Cooper shot him, then fled to his homein Santa Rosa County.
Deputies located Cooper and prior to his arrest took him to Gulf Breeze Medical enter for treatment of his injuries.
Investigators say Mills’ is part-owner of the Hilltop Road residence where the shooting took place, but does not live there and his girlfriend says he came in uninvited.
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