Rodney Howard Jr, known to family as RJ, was 19 when he died at a house party in Madison County on Sunday, February 5, 2017. Deputies from the Madison County Sheriff’s Office found him on a bedroom floor with a small-caliber handgun beside him. A witness told investigators the weapon had been used in a game of Russian roulette: the witness said Howard spun the revolver’s cylinder, closed it, put the barrel to his head and pulled the trigger. About a dozen people were reportedly at the party and Howard was alone in a bedroom when the shot was fired.

Initial investigation described the shooting as accidental and no arrests or suspects have been reported. Howard was born April 27, 1997, in Habersham County and was remembered for rap and music, hiking, leadership in recovery groups and his commitment to helping others. A Celebration of Life was held at Level Grove Baptist Church; he was a member of Shady Grove Baptist Church.

If anyone at the party or who knew Rodney has additional information about what happened that night, please come forward.