Randy Howard dead: Country singer killed in Tennessee gun fight with bounty hunter

Authorities say that the singer died in Lynchburg after missing a court date

Randy Howard was shot

Country and Western singer Randy Howard has been killed in a gun fight in Tennessee.

The 65-year-old singer was shot by a bounty hunter in Lynchburg after missing a court date, according to authorities. The bounty hunter was trying to apprehend the singer.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation says that the bounty hunter arrived at Howard's home to take him into custody after the singer missed a court appearance.

TBI spokesperson Josh Devine says Howard opened fire, the bounty hunter short back and Howard was killed.

DeVine said the bounty hunter was trying to detain Howard on a warrant charging him with fourth-offense DUI, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a firearm while intoxicated and driving on a revoked license.

The TBI is looking into the circumstances of Tuesday night's shooting.

Howard was a member of country music's ''Outlaw" movement, which rejected Nashville's polished music in favor of a rougher sound. Howard shared the stage with Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and Hank Williams Jr., and has written songs for Hank Williams III.

Hank Williams III posted a picture on his Facebook page Thursday of him and Howard smiling together under the words, ''RIP Randy Howard."

Additional reporting by Associated Press