MOBILE, AL – A man charged in connection with a fatal shooting outside an Alabama bar is claiming self-defense, as new details emerged during a preliminary hearing on Tuesday.

On February 1, officers from the Mobile Police Department responded to a reported shooting at the Alabama Bar & Lounge.

Upon arrival, authorities discovered that Hunter Lins and another man had been shot following an altercation outside the establishment.

Lins was transported to the hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. The second victim, whose identity has not been disclosed, survived.

Matthew Sanders was subsequently arrested and charged with murder and first-degree assault in connection with the incident.

During Tuesday’s preliminary hearing, Sanders’ attorney, Jeff Deen, argued that his client acted in self-defense after being attacked. Deen claimed that surveillance footage supports this assertion, showing Sanders being “jumped on” before the shooting.

However, Lins’ stepsister, Kelsie Harvell, refuted that claim, asserting that the shooting was not an act of self-defense and could have been entirely avoided.

A homicide detective testified that multiple witnesses reported an argument between Sanders and Lins inside the bar near the pool table.

• A bartender allegedly instructed only Sanders to leave the bar.
• Lins followed him outside, reportedly to apologize.
• Once outside, a physical altercation ensued between Sanders and Lins, with Lins’ brother, known as “Rusty,” also getting involved.
• According to Rusty, he attempted to break up the fight, but Sanders retrieved a firearm from his vehicle and opened fire.

Deen countered this narrative, claiming that Sanders was attacked by the two brothers and was defending himself.

“He got jumped on at a bar. He left when he was told to, but then a crowd followed him outside and continued the fight,” Deen said. “I’m sorry someone got shot, but he brought it on himself.”

During testimony, the detective noted that Lins had a beer bottle during the altercation but discarded it before being shot, leaving him unarmed and defenseless.

Harvell questioned Sanders’ justification for self-defense, stating, “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?”

Additionally, the District Attorney’s Office revealed that after the shooting, Sanders allegedly posted a video on Snapchat 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.

During the hearing, Sanders’ defense requested a bond reduction, which was denied by the judge. He remains incarcerated at Metro Jail with a $250,000 bond.

The case is now moving to a grand jury for further review.