Authorities: Country singer Randy Howard killed in shootout with bounty hunter

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Country singer killed in shootout with bounty hunter

Randy Howard dies after getting shot by bounty hunter trying to detain him on DUI charge

Country music singer Randy Howard has been killed in a shootout at his home with a bounty hunter trying to detain him on a DUI charge, authorities said.

Several media outlets report the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is looking into the Tuesday night shooting of 65-year-old Randy Howard in Lynchburg. Media report Howard has performed with country music stars Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation was looking into the circumstances of Tuesday night's shooting of 65-year-old Randy Howard, agency spokesman Josh DeVine said in an email.

Howard was a member of country music's "Outlaw" movement, which rejected Nashville's polished music in favor of a rougher sound. Howard shared the stage with Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and Hank Williams Jr., and has written songs for Hank Williams III, according to Howard's LinkedIn site.

Hank Williams III posted a picture on his Facebook page Thursday of him and Howard smiling together under the words, "RIP Randy Howard."

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Howard had been charged with fourth-offense DUI, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a firearm while intoxicated and driving on a revoked license, DeVine said. But he missed a court appearance, DeVine said.

Howard's friend Terry Dotson told Nashville TV station WSMV that he had tried to drive Howard to his court appearance, but the singer brushed him off.

"He said he wasn't going back to jail. That's what he told me," Dotson said.

On Tuesday night, bounty hunter Jackie Shell showed up at Howard's home to take him into custody, DeVine said. Howard opened fire, Shell shot back and Howard was killed, DeVine said.

DeVine said Shell was injured in the shooting, but didn't say how badly. Shell's mother, Mary Jane, told the Chattanooga Times Free Press that her son underwent surgery.

When asked if authorities are investigating whether Shell had the right to enter Howard's home, DeVine said he couldn't discuss specifics, but that the "investigation includes all aspects of the incident."

Howard made seven records, including All American Redneck for Warner Bros. in 1983, and the self-titled Randy Howard for Atlantic in 1988.

He embraced the term "redneck." In an interview with the AP in 1983, he said redneck — a derogatory term for poor, white rural Southerners — doesn't have to be offensive.

"It can be positive," he said. "When I play clubs, I ask if there are any rednecks out there. I get a good response whether I'm in New York or Miami."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.