Country Singer Randy Howard Killed in Shootout with Bounty Hunter

Randy Howard, a country singer who performed alongside Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings, was shot to death by a bounty hunter inside his home, NBC News reports.

Howard faced charges in Marion County, Tenn. for fourth offense, DUI, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a firearm while intoxicated and driving on a revoked license.

When he didn't appear in court for the DUI change, bounty hunter Jackie Shell arrived at the singer's home on Tuesday night to serve a warrant, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation spokesman Josh DeVine said. Howard fired first at Shell, who was injured during the shootout.

One of Howard's neighbors, Terry Dotson, said he was supposed to take the Outlaw Country performer to court, but Howard refused. "And that's when I got mad at him," Dotson recalled to the local NBC affiliate. "I said, 'Look, we're supposed to be there at 9 o'clock.'"

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However, Dotson believes Howard had every right to defend himself in his home, even though Shell had a warrant. "He said he wasn't going back to jail. That's what he told me," Dotson said.

The TBI is now investigating the incident, which would not the first time a local bounty hunter was found to have overstepped their bounds.