Road Rage Turns Violent in Madison County; Man Shot, Faces Multiple Felony Charges

HULL, Ga. — A road rage confrontation escalated into a shooting involving an off-duty agent, leaving one man injured and now facing multiple felony charges, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

The incident occurred around noon on April 4, 2026, near the intersection of Kimberly Circle and U.S. Highway 29 in Madison County.

Authorities say Earnest Howard, 47, of Athens, was involved in a confrontation with Matthew Seawright, 38, of Hull, who was driving with his teenage daughter in the vehicle.

Preliminary information indicates Howard passed Seawright and began braking aggressively in front of him before stopping and blocking the roadway. Howard then exited his vehicle and approached Seawright’s truck while yelling.

Investigators say Seawright exited his truck and placed a revolver in his pocket. A physical altercation followed, during which Howard allegedly struck Seawright multiple times. During the struggle, Howard gained control of the revolver and attempted to fire it before Seawright regained control and fired several shots.

An off-duty GBI agent traveling in the area witnessed the incident and intervened. After observing Seawright fire the weapon, the agent discharged multiple rounds. Seawright was not injured and complied with commands, immediately surrendering his weapon.

Howard fled the scene, driving into Clarke County, where he later called 911 to report he had been shot. He was transported to a hospital for treatment and later released.

Howard has since been arrested and charged with aggravated assault, battery, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, cruelty to children, false imprisonment, and false imprisonment of a person under 14.

No agents were injured during the incident.

The GBI’s Thomson Regional Investigative Office is handling both the officer-involved shooting and the preceding assault investigation. The case will be turned over to the Northern Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office once complete.