UPDATE: "Honky Tonk Hero" Billy Joe Shaver Questioned in Bar Shooting

Texas country music legend and one-time spiritual advisor to Kinky Friedman, Billy Joe Shaver was questioned by Waco-area police after a man was shot in the face near Papa Joe's Texas Saloon. Details about the shooting remain scarce, including any possible role that the Texas Country Music Hall of Famer might have had played in it, but Shaver's attorney reportedly confirmed his client's involvement.

The Waco Tribune-Herald also quoted an anonymous truck driver yesterday, who was at the bar when the incident occured.

"It was outside the back door. All I heard was a pop. I thought it was a firecracker. (The victim) came walking back in with his hand on his cheek and had blood all over his face," he said. "Then I guess the (alleged shooter) ran and got in his car and took off... This is my first time in a Texas bar, too. I hope they’re not all like this.”

According to a Waterloo Records employee we spoke to over the phone, Shaver is still scheduled to perform in-store tomorrow afternoon at 5pm.

Update (4/3/07 11:00am): it now turns out that Shaver shot the man in self-defense, after the "drunk, aggressive stranger" followed him out of the bar while wielding a knife. Shaver, who attempted to turn himself in to Austin police yesterday, will most likely not be making his Waterloo Records in-store show today.

Tip from former co-editor MO, a honky tonk hero in his own right. Photo credits unknown.