ATHENS, Tenn. — A night of business at a popular local bar ended in tragedy early Saturday morning when the owner of the Double C Bar, Randy Croft, was fatally shot during a confrontation outside the establishment. Authorities have identified the suspect as William Charles Thomas Sullivan, 24, of Athens.
According to the McMinn County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched to the Double C Bar, located just west of Athens, after reports of a shooting in the parking lot. When they arrived, they found Croft suffering from gunshot wounds. Despite immediate lifesaving measures by first responders, Croft was pronounced dead at the scene.
Witnesses told investigators that the confrontation began as a heated dispute and escalated quickly. The exact circumstances leading to the gunfire remain under investigation, but officials confirmed that Sullivan fled the scene before law enforcement arrived. A manhunt was launched shortly thereafter, with deputies, local police, and state authorities joining in the search.
By midday Saturday, Sullivan had been taken into custody without further incident. He now faces charges including first-degree murder, though additional charges may follow pending the outcome of the investigation.
News of Croft’s death has deeply shaken the Athens community. The Double C Bar, long known as a gathering place for locals, was not just a business but also a reflection of Croft’s hard work and dedication. Friends and patrons describe him as a welcoming figure who treated everyone like family.
“This is a huge loss for all of us,” one longtime customer said. “Randy built a place where people could come together, and to lose him like this is just devastating.”
The McMinn County Sheriff’s Office has pledged a thorough investigation and has asked anyone with additional information or video evidence related to the incident to contact their office.
As the legal process begins, the Athens community is left to mourn a man remembered for his generosity and presence, while also grappling with the shock of violence that claimed his life outside the business he worked so hard to build.
Funeral arrangements for Randy Croft are expected to be announced in the coming days. Meanwhile, community members have already begun leaving flowers and notes of remembrance near the Double C Bar as a tribute to his memory.
