UPDATE: Man confesses to shooting bar owner in Athens

From Local 3 News: UPDATE: An affidavit obtained by Local 3 News revealed that William Sullivan admitted to shooting Double C Bar owner Randy Croft, who died after being shot twice.

It explains that the suspect, Sullivan, confirmed being thrown out and banned from the bar following an altercation involving a knife. He said his girlfriend dropped him off at their home and she returned to the bar.
 
Sullivan told police he then got a ride back to the bar from a neighbor, then went into his girlfriend's car to grab his gun.

He said he "accidentally" shot his gun several times after falling into a ditch, then again when someone allegedly threw a beer bottle at him.
 
Sullivan said he tried to leave the bar in his girlfriend's car, but did not have the key fob to start the car. Sullivan told police that was when Croft approached him in his truck and "displayed a small handgun."

Police said Sullivan told them "his training kicked in and he did what he had to do," shooting from the car until his handgun was empty. The police report said Sullivan then reloaded his gun and continued firing shots.
 
Sullivan told police he was not sure if Croft ever fired back at him. He said once he heard sirens and saw blue lights, he panicked, grabbed Croft's gun, and fled in Croft's truck. The suspect told police Croft was still alive at this time.

According to the report, Sullivan said he was having a panic attack while driving the truck and "might have" thrown Croft's gun out of the window.
 
Sullivan faces charges of first-degree murder.



A man has been arrested for fatally shooting a bar owner in Athens, Tennessee early Saturday morning, according to McMinn County Sheriff Joe Guy.

Several law enforcement agencies were still on the scene of Double C Bar in Athens into the early hours of the morning.
 
Sheriff Guy says a suspect, who they identified as 24-year-old William Sullivan, had been in an altercation with a knife Friday night.

Then shortly after midnight, Sullivan began firing shots at people in the bar's parking lot.
Sheriff Guy said bar owner Randy Croft then confronted Sullivan, who then shot and killed Croft.

He adds that Sullivan then stole Croft's truck and fled the scene.
 
A pursuit began and authorities later arrested Sullivan in Meigs County.

Sullivan is being held at the McMinn County Jail and is charged with murder. He may face more charges as the investigation continues.

We heard from residents and business owners who live across from the bar, and some say they heard gunshots and police sirens at the time of the shooting.

One resident, who left flowers at the front door of the bar, pointed our what he suspected to be gunshots from Saturday morning's shooting.

The McMinn County Sheriff's Office, Athens Police Department, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and Meigs County Sheriff's Office all assisted in this arrest.
 
"We appreciate the cooperation of all agencies involved in quickly apprehending the suspect in this incident," Sheriff Guy stated. "Our thoughts are with Mr. Crofts family at this time."