Randy Howard, Country Singer, Killed In Shootout With Bounty Hunter

Country music singer Randy Howard died Tuesday night in a shootout with a bounty hunter, who was trying to take the musician in on a DUI charge.

Randy Howard Killed In Shoutout

On Tuesday evening, bounty hunter Jackie Shell arrived at Howard’s residence in Lynchburg, Tenn., after he failed to show up at his court appearance for a series of charges, which included a fourth-offense DUI, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a firearm while intoxicated and driving on a revoked license. When Howard saw the bounty hunter, he opened fire, injuring Shell. Shell shot back, killing Howard, reported Fox News.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is looking into the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including whether or not Shell had the right to enter Howard’s home.

Howard’s friend Terry Dodson claimed that he had offered to take Howard to the court appearance, but the singer rebuffed him, according to Nashville TV station WSMV. “He said he wasn’t going back to jail. That’s what he told me,” Dotson told the station.

Howard burst onto the country scene with his controversial 1983 record All American Redneck. In total, Howard recorded seven albums over the course of his career, including his lauded 1988 self-titled record.

“Howard is one of those vocalists who — like Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and Kris Kristofferson — isn’t going to win a lot of prizes for vocal wizardry, yet manages to compel you to listen,” wrote a Chicago Tribune critic of the album. “And what you hear is often worth listening to a well-produced album moving comfortably around from pop-country to country-rock to acoustic country blues and even gospel; an above-average collection of 12 songs (8 of which were written or co-written by Howard himself); and a voice that holds your attention by sounding as if it belongs to a real person instead of a star.”