The Associated Press reports that outlaw country singer Randy Howard was killed on Tuesday in a shootout with a bounty hunter. The bondsman had come to detain the singer after he missed a court appearance.

Tennessee Bureau of Investigation spokesman Josh DeVine told the AP that there was a warrant out for Howard charging him with fourth-offense DUI, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a firearm while intoxicated and driving on a revoked license.

When the bounty hunter showed up at his Lynchburg, Tennessee home, Howard opened fire, DeVine said. The bounty hunter returned fire, killing Howard. The bounty hunter was reportedly struck by a bullet as well but is expected to recover.

The TBI is investigating whether the bounty hunter acted appropriately in entering Howard’s home, where, WSMV Nashville reports, he had a right to defend himself.

According to SavingCountryMusic.com, Howard had performed with the likes of Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Charlie Daniels, and Hank Williams Jr.

“He said he wasn’t going back to jail,” Howard’s friend and neighbor Terry Dotson said. “That’s what he told me.”

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