Suspect wanted for murder of former Bama football player

Published 5:50 pm Thursday, August 21, 2014

Authorities are searching for a second suspect believed to be involved in the Wednesday night murder of a former University of Alabama football player.

Authorities are searching for a second suspect believed to be involved in the Wednesday night murder of a former University of Alabama football player.

Authorities are searching for a second suspect believed to be involved in the Wednesday night murder of a former University of Alabama football player.

Ozell Powell, a defensive lineman at Alabama from 1993-96, was shot and killed at Creekstone Apartments in Greenville around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday.

According to authorities, Powell, 40, had two gunshot wounds to the chest and abdomen area. He was transported to L.V. Stabler Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

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Eric Simmons, 22, of Greenville, was arrested at approximately 1 a.m. Thursday and charged with murder. He’s being held in the Butler County Correctional Facility.

On Thursday, the Greenville Police Department also secured a warrant for the arrest of 22-year-old Samarjay Peterson.

The Greenville Police Department has secured a warrant for the arrest of 22-year-old Samarjay Peterson who is believed to be involved in the shooting death of Ozell Powell.

The Greenville Police Department has secured a warrant for the arrest of 22-year-old Samarjay Peterson who is believed to be involved in the shooting death of Ozell Powell.

“We had a good idea last night that he was involved, but we just couldn’t nail down a name,” Lt. Justin Lovvorn said. “He’s not from around here, and not in the area often. We talked to several witnesses who knew what he looked like, but didn’t have a name. We knocked on doors until we were able to get enough information to get a name and a warrant.”

Lovvorn said authorities believe Simmons and Peterson are the only two suspects who participated in the shooting.

Authorities declined to name a cause for the shooting, as the investigation is still ongoing.

Powell was a standout football player at Greenville High School earning all-state honors as a senior.

As a member of the Tide, Powell started 25 games and was credited with 67 tackles, including three for a loss and four sacks. As a senior, he intercepted a pass in the SEC championship game against Florida and returned it 22 yards.

Following college, Powell spent two seasons on the Washington Redskins’ practice squad before signing as a free agent with the Atlanta Falcons in 2000. He was drafted in 2001 by the XFL’s Birmingham Bolts.