A Harriman city councilman and his son have been wrapped in legal trouble following an August party that turned tragic. District Attorney General Russell Johnson announced that Brian Frost and his son, Bradley Frost, face numerous charges related to the shooting death of 18-year-old Holden Howse. WVLT News details indictments that include tampering with evidence and furnishing alcohol to minors, among others. The elder Frost is also charged with coercion of a witness and a count of official misconduct; meanwhile, his son was hit with 14 counts for supplying alcohol to minors and four counts related to the delinquency of a minor.
During a gathering involving alcohol, firearms, and marijuana vape pens at the Frost-owned Mr. Clean Detail Shop, an argument escalated, leading to the fatal shooting of Howse. The subsequent investigation implicated not just the Frosts, but also Tony Williams, who faces a charge of accessory after the fact for what has been described as his role as a 'getaway' driver. This information, provided by the office of Johnson, was reported by WATE. Arrests were made on Tuesday, with both Frosts apprehended by the Roane County Sheriff's Office and Williams taken into custody by Harriman Police at the request of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI).
Brian Frost is specifically accused of trying to coerce Harriman Police Chief Baron Tapp, according to the indictment. Bonds for the Frosts were set while Williams' bond was established at $2,000. The younger suspect in the case, 17-year-old Riley Pawlick, was also charged with second-degree murder, aggravated assault, and destruction of evidence in juvenile court, as reported by BBBTV12. A hearing will be scheduled to determine if he will be tried as an adult following mental health evaluations.
The sentiments of the victim’s family were shared by Howse's mother, Lynn La Vita, who expressed “relief” upon hearing the indictments, stating, "It’s a start, but it’s a good start," as she told WVLT News. The investigation continues to evolve as officials piece together the events of that fateful August night, poised on the precipice of legal battles that could ripple through the community of Harriman.
