Heather Nicole McCall : “Man confesses shooting death as accident”

A woman in Athens, who allegedly fatally shot a man during an argument at her home, claimed to police that it was an accidental trigger pull as she had never used a gun before. Heather Nicole McCall, 26, now faces charges of reckless conduct and involuntary manslaughter following the death of Jeremy Tyrone Howard, 31, of Marlborough Downs Road, Athens.

According to the report released by Athens-Clarke police, the altercation between McCall and Howard escalated after he arrived unannounced at her home, despite being banned by the landlord. McCall revealed to the authorities that she grabbed a gun from her roommate’s bedroom as Howard had allegedly assaulted her in the past. In a moment of panic, McCall inadvertently fired the weapon, hitting Howard in the abdomen.

When police arrived at the scene, Howard was able to provide his name and age before being rushed to the hospital, where he tragically succumbed to his injuries. McCall, visibly distraught, attempted to assist Howard after the shooting.

A witness at the scene, a 41-year-old man visiting McCall’s home, mentioned that he had stepped outside to give the two space to talk. He heard the gunshot moments later and saw Howard emerging from the house, clutching his midsection. McCall rushed out, expressing remorse for the incident, and applied pressure to Howard’s wound while they awaited emergency services.

McCall is currently being held at the Athens-Clarke County Jail without bond on the manslaughter charge. This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of mishandling firearms and the importance of gun safety.