Country singer Randy Howard killed in shootout with bounty hunter

Country singer Randy Howard, who was best known for the song “All-American Redneck,” was killed Tuesday night in a shootout with a bounty hunter.

Howard, 65, was wanted on a DUI charge in Marion County, Tennessee. It was his fourth offence and he was also wanted on charges of drug possession, possession of a gun while intoxicated and driving with a revoked license. He never showed up for his court appearance and a warrant was out for Howard’s arrest, reports WSMV.

“One morning I went over there to take him to court and he wasn't ready," neighbor Terry Dotson told the station. "He said, 'Well, I'll call them in a couple hours.' And that's when I got mad at him. I said, 'Look, we're supposed to be there at 9 o'clock.'"

Howard didn’t go and Tuesday night, bounty hunter Jackie Shell showed up with the warrant for his arrest. Shell told police that Howard shot first, so he fired back in defense, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. The shooting took place inside Howard’s home.

“I don't believe they had the right to come in his house, no,” Dotson told WSMV.

As a country musician, Howard was known for raunchy lyrics and singing about alcohol and love. His 1983 single “All-American Redneck” became his anthem, notes The Washington Post. His other songs include “My Nose Don’t Work No More,” “My Drinking Problem” and “I’m Gonna Find A Woman.” However, he was still respected by his peers, performing with Willie Nelson and Hank Williams Jr. Hank Williams III even posted a tribute on Facebook.

image via Facebook from Hank Williams III