Police name, charge gunman in bar shooting

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) - Police say the gunman who opened fire on a crowded Tuscaloosa bar is 44-year-old Nathan Van Wilkins from Tuscaloosa

Tuscaloosa police say Nathan Van Wilkins turned himself in Tuesday, several hours after the shooting at a bar near the University of Alabama campus. Authorities say 17 people were injured in the shooting.

Police say Wilkins turned himself in at a business in Jasper, about 45 miles away.

Tuscaloosa police chief Steve Anderson said, "He went to a business in Jasper and told the individual at that business who he was, and he was sought here in connection with the shooting. And then he called the Jasper police department."

Anderson said he did not know why Wilkins turned himself in.

Tuscaloosa police say Wilkins has been charged with one count of attempted murder but they expected to add 16 more counts of the same charge.

Anderson said, "Obviously, several charges and counts of attempted murder, shooting into an occupied business, and several other charges related to firearms possibly."

Wilkins is being held on $100,000 bond, but police say it will be increased to $1.7 million once all the counts are added.

Police believe the rampage was connected to a shooting at a home about 45 minutes earlier. They are investigating whether both evolved from a dispute between rival motorcycle gangs.

University of Alabama student Sam Witt said, "It's very sad to hear, it's sad that we have to be living this close to all of this."

Witt said there have been some other shootings in the area recently. He said, "This kind of stuff can happen anywhere. I think people need to be aware."

Tuscaloosa police say at around 12:30 Tuesday morning, Wilkins approached the Copper Top Bar on 4th street with a military-style assault rifle in hand.

Police say he fired shots from outside the bar. In all, authorities say 17 people were taken to the DCH Regional Medical Center.

University of Alabama officials say three of them were students.

Hospital spokesman Brad Fisher said most were treated and released but there are five men still being treated at the hospital. Three are in fair condition, one is in serious condition and the other is in critical condition.

Fisher said the two who are in the ICU are not students.