Paul Howell Death – Murfreesboro police have identified the victim of a fatal road rage shooting that took place on Saturday as 49-year-old motorcyclist Paul Howell. The incident occurred around 7:44 p.m. on South Rutherford Boulevard and involved an SUV, according to Murfreesboro police spokesman Larry Flowers.
Howell was transported to a local hospital but unfortunately succumbed to his injuries. Another motorcyclist, a 48-year-old man who has not been identified yet, was also injured in the shooting and received treatment for a gunshot wound to the arm.
The SUV driver, 39-year-old Joseph Gann, has been charged with second-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, and reckless endangerment. Gann initially fled the scene but later turned himself in to officers at the Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Department Station 3.
He is currently being held at the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center on a $1.5 million bond. Gann is scheduled for a hearing on June 24 before Rutherford County General Sessions Court Judge Ben Hall McFarlin III.
The preliminary investigation suggests that Gann was driving a Toyota Rav4 when a road rage incident occurred with a group of motorcycle riders. The situation escalated at the intersection of South Rutherford Boulevard and Southeast Broad Street/Manchester Highway.
Detectives have determined that Gann fired multiple shots, injuring two of the motorcyclists. The Murfreesboro Police Department’s Violent Crimes detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division are still investigating the circumstances that led to the road rage shooting.
Any witnesses with information that could assist the investigation are urged to contact Detective Drew Stalnaker at 629-201-5615.
