A Gainesville teen, 19-year-old Andrew “Brandt” Clay, has been arraigned on a felony charge of shooting a firearm at another person in an incident Saturday. The Ozark County Times reports Clay reportedly pulled his truck up behind the truck of another man he knew, grabbed a shotgun and discharged the weapon in the mans direction.
Clay is being held in the Ozark County Jail on a $25,000 cash-only bond in the case. If convicted of the charge, he could face a term of five to 15 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections.
According to the probable cause statement filed in the case, an Ozark County Deputy was dispatched to County Road 511 in Hardenville Saturday when the victim, Christian Ellison, called the sheriffs office to report Clay had shot at him. Ellison told the officer he had been on his way to visit his dad when he came upon Clay and a female passenger.
Ellison said Clay started driving erratically down the roadway, so he pulled around him and onto County Road 517. Ellison said Clay pulled in behind him, grabbed the shotgun, pointed it in his direction and pulled the trigger. Ellison said he heard the shot pellets hitting the trees around him.
Ellison quickly left the area and called the sheriffs office to report the incident. He told the officer he and Clay were high school friends in the past, but Clay had recently blamed Ellison for posting comments on Facebook regarding Clays suspected drug activity. Ellison said Clay had previously threatened him.
Clay was arrested on Sunday. After being informed of his Miranda rights, he agreed to speak with the officer. He reportedly told the officer he fired the shotgun only because Ellison had a knife and was threatening him and the woman. When asked why he didnt just drive away if he was in fear for his life instead of stopping and shooting at the man, Clay reportedly said he has a temper and had been angry at Ellison. Clay also reportedly admitted to shooting methamphetamine by syringe, and the officer wrote that he observed what appeared to me to be a needle mark in the fold of Clays left arm.
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