John Wayne Howell

Deadly force

Residents called 911 to report a man, who they knew, was walking around the neighborhood holding a machete and a pipe, and acting erratic. The man didn't recognize any of the people he was talking to, and residents told investigators he was threatening them. When deputies arrived on the scene, one tried to use a taser. He was continuing to act aggressive toward the three deputies on the scene. Smith says that's when two fired shots at the man, killing him in a front yard on Old Wire Road