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Father and son behind bars after video emerges of fatal mattress dispute

DISTURBING CONTENT WARNING: A father and son who were filmed arguing with their neighbour over a discarded mattress have been arrested again after footage of the fatal incident emerged online.

Johnnie Dee Allen Miller, 67, and his son, 31-year-old Michael Theodore Miller, were charged with first-degree murder over the death of their neighbour, Aaron Howard, outside their home in Abilene, Texas on September 1.

They were arrested and charged on the day of the shooting before being released on a $34,000 bond each.

John Miller, 67, and his son, 31-year-old Michael Miller, can be seen holding their weapons before a fatal altercation with their neighbour Aaron Howard outside their Texas homes.
(Left) John Miller can be seen holding a handgun by his side. (Right) His son, Michael, can be seen firing the shotgun. Image: Storyful

But after vision of the fatal shooting, filmed by Mr Howard’s common-law wife Kara Box, began circulating online, police took the father and son back into custody, citing “great concern” for the community.

They are now back in jail, each with a $340,000 bond.

Fatal shootout captured on camera

The dispute erupted a couple of days prior to the shooting when Mr Howard and Ms Box dumped a mattress in a skip in an alley adjacent to their respective houses, the Star-Telegram reported.

Over the next days, the mattress was dumped back on Howard’s property before it was again moved back to the skip.

The dispute eventually came to boiling point when Mr Howard and Ms Box squared off against the Millers, both of whom were shirtless, in the alleyway.

In the video, Johnnie can be seen holding his handgun at his side, while his son rests a shotgun on his shoulder.

Aaron Howard (left) can be seen yelling at the Millers – both of whom are shirtless. Image: Storyful
Aaron Howard (left) can be seen yelling at the Millers – both of whom are shirtless. Image: Storyful

The trio can be heard trading insults, while Ms Box films the incident.

“Back off… If you come closer to me, I’m gonna kill you,” John Miller can be heard telling Mr Howard.

“You’re not gonna shoot my husband,” Ms Box is heard saying as Mr Howard screams “point it at me” repeatedly.

Multiple gunshots can be heard ringing out as the camera loses focus before briefly showing Mr Howard lying motionless on the ground.

“When the first shots were fired, Aaron had a bat in his hand and was approximately seven feet from John Miller, who was the closest to him,” a statement from the Abilene Police Department read.

Johnnie Dee Allen Miller, 67, and his son, 31-year-old Michael Theodore Miller, were charged with first-degree murder in the death of their neighbour Aaron Howard outside their home in <span>Abilene, Texas</span> on September 1. Images: Abilene Police Department
Johnnie Dee Allen Miller, 67, and his son, 31-year-old Michael Theodore Miller, were charged with first-degree murder in the death of their neighbour Aaron Howard outside their home in Abilene, Texas on September 1. Images: Abilene Police Department

“When Michael Miller discharged his shotgun and John Miller fired the final two rounds from his pistol, Aaron Howard was unarmed.”

The statement claimed the father and son both admitted to shooting Mr Howard.

He was rushed to hospital but died of gunshot wounds to the chest, KTXS reported.