Verbena, AL - Investigators in Chilton County say they now know the slaying of a high student Sunday was a targeted crime. 

According to authorities, 18 year-old Steven Dorough of Marbury went to a house in nearby Verbena where a man shot him in the head.  Investigators say the  shooter and another man then set Dorough's body on fire to conceal the crime.

"It's something that you never want to see or hear," said Chilton County Sheriff Kevin Davis.  "It's something that is awful."

Sheriff Davis describes the crime scene Sunday morning as disturbing.  His deputies arrived to find the Dorough shot in the back of the head, doused with gasoline and set on fire.

"We in law enforcement it's part of our jobs, we know it's part of our jobs but it's nothing that we want to see or encounter," said Davis.

Now, 21 year-old Christopher Kroeger of Prattville and 18 year-old Joshua Ready of Montgomery sit in the Chilton County Jail.

"From my understanding they knew each other," said Davis.  "This wasn't just a random first time meeting type thing."

Davis says Dorough went to Kroeger's house willingly, an ongoing argument reignited and Kroeger shot the teenager.  He was a senior at Marbury High School and completed Army basic training over the summer.  Dorough's recruiter describes him as a motivated soldier who considered active duty after graduation.

Sheriff Davis says evidence may explain how this happened.

"There was evidence that there had been drinking and that sort of stuff going on," said the sheriff.

Chilton County averages only one to two murders each year.  This one has shaken the community but the sheriff says people should rest easily.

"We have these guys under arrest and in our jail and I don't have any more fear than normal for the community or our county.

Kroeger and Ready are being held under a half-million dollar bond each.

 

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