Dustin Cooper, 28, of Navarre is facing charges in connection to a shooting which took place on Tuesday in Okaloosa County. According to a press release from the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office, Cooper is being charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon with additional charges pending in this case.
Investigators say Cooper shot James Mills following an altercation at a Mary Esther home of an ex-girlfriend of Mills. According to the Okaloosa Sheriff's office, Mills entered the mobile home uninvited and attacked Cooper after finding him in a bedroom closet.
According to Cooper's arrest report, Mills told investigators both he and Cooper were involved in an altercation until Mills put Cooper in a “Sleeper hold” which temporarily ended the altercation in which both parties received some physical injuries.
As Mills was leaving the Mary Esther residence on his motorcycle, Cooper emerged from the mobile home with a firearm in hand. Cooper allegedly fired a round which struck Mills in his motorcycle helmet. The bullet apparently entered through Mills chin and exited through the left cheek area, the report said.
Mills was taken by helicopter to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola for treatment. Cooper was taken into custody at his Navarre residence after having fled the scene.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Navarre man charged in Okaloosa County shooting