Randy Howard dies in gunfight with bounty hunter (Photo : Facebook/Hank Williams III)
Country music singer Randy Howard has been shot and killed in a gunfight which ensued at his home in Tennessee when a bounty hunter attempted to serve him a warrant.
Having failed to appear in court for a fourth time over DUI charges, the bounty hunter attempted to serve the singer 65, with a warrant according to a Spokesman of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation who spoke to NBC News.
The Bureau is investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting which took place in the night on Tuesday in Lynchburg, Tennessee involving the singer who faced charges of driving on a revoked license, possession of drugs and possession of a fire arm while intoxicated.
Spokesman for the Bureau, Josh DeVine told the news channel by email that Howard fired the first shot at bondsman Jackie Shell who was injured in the gun fight.
The unconventional country singer has performed with stars such as Hank Williams Jr, Waylon Jennings and Nashville icon Willie Nelson, according to the Guardian.
The British website reported that Howard was part of a community of singers known as the "Outlaws" and rejected the orthodox smooth sounds associated with the country genre for a more unpolished rougher take on music.
Country artist Hank Williams III acknowledged Howard's passing by taking to social media to post a picture of the duo with a message that reads "RIP Randy Howard."
A Nashville TV station interviewed a friend of Howard's Terry Dotson who said he offered to drive the singer to court for his hearing, but attempts were brushed off by Howard who had said he did not want to go back to jail.
During his career Howard released seven albums among those the "All American Redneck" produced by Warner Brothers in 1983 and the self-titled album produced by Atlantic in 1988 are among the singer's better known records.
