Lilliard Daniel
A Lancing man is being charged with second degree murder for the death of a Morgan County businessman, according to the Morgan County Sheriff's Department.
Before 9:00 p.m. Wednesday, deputies arrested Lillard Daniel of Lancing. Earlier in the day, investigators discovered Calvin Howard, 38, dead inside Daniel's residence on Nashville Highway. Authorities said Howard had gunshot wounds.
"Calvin Howard is the greatest son you would ever hope for," his father, Melvin said shortly after learning his son passed away. He wanted to know why someone wanted to kill the owner of Production Acres, a hay distribution company he called one of the biggest in the southeast.
"That's the big question, but with God's help, we will proceed," Howard added.
He said Calvin had a mind for farming, operating a massive annual corn maze and keeping his corn crops alive, during a time of unprecedented drought.
"Calvin was a diligent worker, able to market hay and corn very well," he said
His dad had this to say about whoever killed his son.
"I feel sorry for the man stupid enough to waste his life to wreck other people's lives. He's the loser."
This father says Calvin not only left behind a legacy to the farmers in Morgan County, he left behind a legacy as a good son.
"His life was the greatest blessing a man could ever hope for," he somberly said.
The Morgan County Sheriff's Department is expected to release more information about the arrest and what lead up to the death of Calvin Howard Thursday.
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The Morgan County Sheriff's Office is on the scene of an apparent homicide.
Very little information is being released at this time.
Investigators on the scene say they were called to the property on Nashville Highway in Lancing around 10:00 am on Wednesday to investigate a fatal shooting on the property.
Several family members tell 10News that the victim was Calvin Howard, 38, the owner of Production Acres, a hay distribution business.
Howard did not live on the property where the shooting happened.
Investigators are talking to a person of interest in the case, but no arrests have been made.
10News has a crew on the scene and will bring you more information when we get it.