Member of US country music’s so-called ‘Outlaws’ had skipped court on drink-driving charge after declaring he ‘wasn’t going back to jail’, say reports

This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

A bounty hunter trying to bring in a country music singer shot and killed the man in a gunfight at the singer’s home, authorities said on Thursday.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said it 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 favour of a rougher sound. He had shared the stage with Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and Hank Williams Jr.

The Facebook page of country artist Hank Williams III carried a picture on Thursday of Williams and Howard smiling with the text: “RIP Randy Howard.”

Howard had missed a court appearance, DeVine said, after being charged with his fourth drink-driving offence, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a firearm while intoxicated and driving on a revoked license.

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 Shell was injured in the shooting but did not say how badly. Shell’s mother, Mary Jane, told the Chattanooga Times Free Press that her son underwent surgery.

When asked if authorities were investigating whether Shell had the right to enter Howard’s home, DeVine said he couldn’t discuss specifics but 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 Associated Press in 1983 he said redneck – a derogatory term for poor, white rural Southerners – did not 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.”