A Tennessee man has been charged with murder after authorities say he fatally shot the co-owner of a bar in Athens before stealing his truck and leading deputies on a chase into Meigs County. According to a police affidavit, 24-year-old William Charles Thomas Sullivan fired multiple rounds in the parking lot of the Double CC Bar & Grill on Highway 30 Friday night.
He later claimed the gunshots were “accidental.” Authorities said 60-year-old Randy Croft, the bar’s co-owner, drove up to confront Sullivan after hearing gunfire. It was then that Sullivan opened fire on Croft, killing him, before fleeing the scene in Croft’s truck.
McMinn County Sheriff Joe Guy said Sullivan had been kicked out of the bar earlier that evening after an incident involving a knife and was banned for life. About 30 minutes later, he returned with a handgun. “Another patron went outside to smoke, and this guy opened fire on him,” Sheriff Guy said to WTVC.
The affidavit details Sullivan’s version of events. He admitted to investigators that he had gone to the bar with his girlfriend, who later drove him home after the knife incident. Sullivan said he then got a ride back from a neighbor, retrieved a Taurus 9mm handgun from his girlfriend’s car, and began walking toward the bar.
Sullivan claimed he stumbled into a ditch, which caused the weapon to fire several times, possibly striking cars or the building. He also said someone threw a beer bottle at him, which made him fire again. When confronted by Croft, Sullivan told police that Croft displayed a small handgun.
“His training kicked in and he did what he had to do,” the affidavit states. Sullivan admitted to firing multiple rounds until his gun was empty, reloading from a box of shells in his girlfriend’s car, and firing more shots.
He told investigators he saw that Croft had been hit but was still alive. As police sirens approached, Sullivan said he panicked, grabbed Croft’s handgun, and fled in Croft’s truck. During the pursuit, he claimed to have thrown the weapon out the window.
Deputies chased Sullivan into Meigs County, where the Highway Patrol joined the pursuit. “It was just a few more minutes, and he crashed out over there and was taken into custody,” Sheriff Guy said.
Sullivan remains in custody at the McMinn County Justice Center, charged with murder. Sheriff Guy added that more charges may be filed as the investigation continues. Outside the bar, mourners have left candles, flowers, and handwritten notes in memory of Croft.