Lawrence man accused of pulling gun on teens

MOULTON - A man who is accused of pulling a gun and threatening three teenagers while on school property has been arrested, authorities said.

Lawrence County Sheriff Gene Mitchell said 41-year-old Mark Alton Hood, of Alabama 36, Danville, has been charged with criminal possession of a pistol on school grounds and menacing.

Possession of a pistol on school grounds is a Class C felony and is punishable by one to 10 years in jail if convicted. Menacing is a Class A misdemeanor, which carries the punishment of up to a year in jail if convicted.

The sheriff said Hood was arrested Wednesday. Mitchell said the arrest stems from an incident that occurred Saturday at a youth sports event at Speake High School.

According to reports, Hood had an argument with some school students after they complained about how fast he was driving through the parking lot. Hood is accused of becoming enraged at the students and producing a gun that he had inside his vehicle.

"It was three teens, all about 16 years old," said investigator Capt. Tim McWhorter.

McWhorter said the students said Hood chambered a round and then pointed the gun at them.

Mitchell said Hood also is accused of making statements about harming the students as he pointed the gun at them.

"From their standpoint, they believed he was going to harm them," McWhorter said.

"Thankfully, Mr. Hood got back in his vehicle and left school grounds without anyone getting hurt," Mitchell said. "It could have become a very serious situation. This type of incident is not something that can be taken lightly and we're not going to."

McWhorter said Hood has been banned from Speake school property.

"Other stipulations could be pending," he said.

McWhorter said the school board could actually ban Hood from attending any functions on county school property.

Mitchell said Hood was released from the Lawrence County Jail on bail totaling $18,000 bond.

Tom Smith can be reached at 740-5757 or tom.smith@TimesDaily.com.