Matthew Sanders Claims Self-Defense in Deadly Mobile Bar Shooting that Killed Hunter Lins: A Detailed Look into the Tragic Incident, Legal Developments, and Emotional Testimonies from Victims’ Families

On February 1, 2025, tragedy struck outside the Alabama Bar & Lounge in Mobile, Alabama, resulting in the fatal shooting of Hunter Lins and the serious injury of another individual whose identity has yet to be publicly revealed. The incident, which unfolded after an altercation inside the bar, left a community devastated, and now, Matthew Sanders, the man charged in connection with the shooting, is claiming that he acted in self-defense.

During a preliminary hearing held on March 11, 2025, new details emerged that cast light on the events leading up to the shooting, Sanders’ defense arguments, and the emotional toll the incident has had on the victims’ families, particularly the Lins family.

The Incident

On the night of February 1, 2025, Mobile Police Department officers responded to a reported shooting outside the Alabama Bar & Lounge. Upon arrival, they found two men suffering from gunshot wounds. One of the victims, Hunter Lins, was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. The second victim, whose name has not been publicly disclosed, was critically injured but survived.

The initial reports indicated that the shooting was the result of an argument that escalated into violence, but it wasn’t until the preliminary hearing that more specific details about the altercation were revealed. According to testimony, the confrontation began inside the bar near a pool table, where Sanders and Lins reportedly had an argument.

Eyewitnesses stated that a bartender asked Sanders to leave the bar, which he did. Lins allegedly followed Sanders outside, reportedly with the intention of apologizing for the disagreement. However, things quickly escalated into a physical altercation, and Lins’ brother, known as “Rusty,” also became involved in the scuffle.

At this point, according to Rusty, Sanders retrieved a firearm from his vehicle and opened fire, killing his brother Hunter and injuring the other man.

Sanders’ Defense Claim

Matthew Sanders, who was arrested shortly after the incident, faces charges of murder and first-degree assault. However, his defense attorney, Jeff Deen, argued during the preliminary hearing that Sanders acted in self-defense. Deen claimed that Sanders had been “jumped on” by Lins and his brother outside the bar and that the surveillance footage from the scene supported this assertion.

“Mr. Sanders was attacked by both brothers. He was defending himself,” Deen argued. He emphasized that Sanders had left the bar voluntarily when instructed by the bartender but was followed outside by a hostile crowd. Deen continued to assert that Sanders had no choice but to defend himself against the assault.

However, this version of events was immediately challenged by the Lins family. Hunter Lins’ stepsister, Kelsie Harvell, vehemently disputed Sanders’ self-defense claim, stating that the shooting could have been avoided entirely. Harvell’s passionate testimony painted a picture of a young man whose life was cut short by a senseless act of violence.

“I don’t believe for a second that this was self-defense,” Harvell told the court. “If Sanders had been truly afraid for his life, he had other options. He didn’t need to take the life of my brother.”

The Key Testimonies and Evidence

A pivotal moment in the preliminary hearing came when a homicide detective testified about the multiple witness statements and physical evidence. The detective reported that several witnesses had described an argument inside the bar between Sanders and Lins, followed by the bartender’s request for Sanders to leave the premises. It was revealed that Lins had followed Sanders outside, presumably to apologize, and that a physical altercation soon broke out between the two men.

Rusty, Lins’ brother, testified that he attempted to intervene and break up the fight but was unable to stop Sanders from retrieving a gun from his vehicle. According to Rusty, Sanders opened fire after being allegedly attacked by both brothers.

However, defense attorney Jeff Deen attempted to counter Rusty’s narrative by insisting that Sanders had been physically assaulted and was forced to defend himself. “He was jumped on at a bar,” Deen argued. “He left when he was told to, but then a crowd followed him outside and continued the fight.”

Despite these arguments, the detective’s testimony painted a different picture. The detective noted that Lins had been holding a beer bottle during the altercation but had discarded it before he was shot. This suggested that Lins was no longer armed when he was killed, undermining Sanders’ self-defense argument.

Another crucial piece of evidence emerged when Harvell questioned why Sanders, if he felt threatened, didn’t simply leave the scene entirely rather than escalate the situation by retrieving a firearm. “If he was able to open his car door to grab a gun and shoot two people, why wasn’t he able to get in the car and leave?” Harvell asked, further calling into question Sanders’ justification for the shooting.

The Social Media Evidence

Perhaps the most damning piece of evidence presented during the preliminary hearing was a video that Sanders allegedly posted on Snapchat after the shooting. In the video, Sanders can be seen waving a gun and saying, “I told y’all to leave me alone… and to quit playing with me.”

Investigators later confirmed that the firearm seen in the video was the same weapon recovered at the crime scene, linking Sanders to the gun used in the shooting. The video further fueled the argument that Sanders may have acted out of a sense of vengeance or in retaliation rather than in self-defense.

The video, posted after the incident, also painted a picture of a man who appeared to take pride in the violence he had committed, as opposed to someone who had been acting out of fear for his life. This piece of evidence added weight to the prosecution’s argument that Sanders had escalated the situation unnecessarily.

The Legal Consequences

Following the preliminary hearing, Sanders’ defense team requested a bond reduction, arguing that Sanders posed no flight risk and was not a danger to the community. However, the judge denied the request, and Sanders remains incarcerated at Metro Jail with a bond set at $250,000.

The case is now set to move forward to a grand jury for further review. The grand jury will decide whether there is enough evidence to formally indict Sanders on the charges of murder and assault. The legal process will continue to unfold, but for now, the community and the families of the victims are left grappling with the consequences of that tragic night.

The Impact on the Victims’ Families

For the Lins family, the pain of losing Hunter is immeasurable. Kelsie Harvell, Hunter’s stepsister, has made it clear that she will not rest until justice is served. In her testimony, Harvell described the devastation that the shooting has caused her family. “We will never get my brother back, but we will fight for him,” she said through tears.

Hunter Lins was described by his family as a kind and caring individual who was loved by many. His death has left a void in the lives of those who knew him, and the legal proceedings are only adding to the family’s grief. They continue to call for accountability and insist that the shooting was not justified.

While the focus of the legal proceedings is on Sanders and the events of that night, the emotional impact of the incident has rippled through the Mobile community. Friends, family, and even strangers who have followed the case are left questioning how an altercation that began inside a bar could spiral so tragically out of control.

The second victim, whose identity has not been disclosed, also remains in the thoughts of many. Though this individual survived the shooting, the physical and emotional scars left behind are likely to last a lifetime. The survivor’s family has expressed hope that justice will be served for both victims.

The Community Response

The Mobile community has been deeply affected by the incident, with local residents expressing shock and sadness over the senseless violence that occurred outside a popular bar. Many have questioned how such a situation could have been avoided and what can be done to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Community leaders have called for increased awareness about the dangers of escalating conflicts and the importance of conflict resolution. The shooting has sparked conversations about gun violence, self-defense laws, and the role of alcohol in fueling aggression. For many, the tragedy serves as a stark reminder of how quickly a night out can turn into a nightmare, with lives forever altered in a matter of moments.

The Way Forward

As the legal proceedings continue, both sides will present their cases to the grand jury and, ultimately, a trial. For the Lins family, the fight for justice is just beginning, and they are determined to ensure that Hunter’s death is not in vain.

For Matthew Sanders, the question of whether his actions were an act of self-defense or a senseless killing remains at the center of the case. The court will have to weigh the evidence carefully and decide whether Sanders’ claim of self-defense holds up in light of the testimony, video evidence, and witness statements.

While the legal process moves forward, the Lins family’s grief and the scars left by the incident will undoubtedly remain. The memory of Hunter Lins, his family’s fight for justice, and the community’s need for accountability will continue to shape the discourse around this tragic event for years to come.