BRYAN MCJUNKINS
Howard County Sheriff
ATHENS – Belden Ward of Athens called 9-1-1 at 11:30 a.m. on January 21, and reported that his son, James Ward (25) of Athens had shot himself. Belden came home to his house at 119 Zion Rd. and found James Ward dead inside the residence from a self-inflicted gunshot. Howard County Deputy Todd Tallant and Howard County Investigator Jade Hughes responded along with EMS and Howard County Coroner John Gray to investigate the call. They determined that James Ward’s death was caused by him and no crimes are suspected to have occurred.
