Two arrested amid hunt for Tennessee suspect accused of killing four
Aug. 3 (UPI) -- Two people were arrested over the weekend with helping a suspect accused of quadruple murder, according to authorities who on Sunday said they have increased the reward for information leading to the arrest and location of Austin Robert Drummond.
Drummond, 28, is accused of killing a family of four in northwestern Tennessee last week, and has been on the run since.
The U.S. Marshals Service on Sunday announced a reward of $10,000 for information that leads to his arrest for a total of $17,500 when combined with the money being offered by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
"It's past time -- let's get Drummond into custody," the Dyer County Sheriff's Office said in a statement in response to the announcement. "See something, say something. We can't get distracted -- stay focused on the singular mission of finding Austin Drummond. Keep his name and face all over social media."
Drummond has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder, four counts of a felon in possession of a firearm and one count each of aggravated kidnapping and possession of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony in connection with the deaths of James M. Wilson, 21, Adrianna Williams, 20, Cortney Rose, 38, and Braydon Williams, 15.
Rose is the mother of Adrianna and Braydon. Wilson is Adrianna's boyfriend.
Their bodies were found Tuesday along Carrington Road in Tiptonville, located along the northwestern Tennessee border with both Missouri and Kentucky.
That same afternoon, the infant child of Wilson and Adrianna was found in a car seat that had been dropped off by a dark-colored minivan or a white mid-sized SUV "at a random individual's front yard," the Dyer County Sheriff's Office said in a statement. Authorities have said the baby is safe and is being cared for.
On Saturday, authorities arrested Giovonte Thomas, 29, on charges of accessory after the fact to first-degree murder. On Friday, Tanaka Brown, 29, was charged with accessory after the fact to first-degree murder and an additional charge of tampering with evidence was later filed.
Authorities said they have discovered the white Audi that Drummond was last seen in. It was located in Jackson, Tenn. Nearby residents were instructed to lock their doors and stay alert.
TBI Director David Rausch said they believe that Drummond is in the Jackson area.
Drummond has a criminal history and should be considered armed and dangerous. Authorities said the latest crime occurred while he was out on bond for attempted murder in connection with an alleged incident that occurred in prison where he was serving time for attempted robbery.
Authorities have said that this quadruple murder is not a random act.
"This incident has this community on edge," the TBI said in a statement online. "I can assure that state, local and federal agencies have been working around the clock to determine all of the facts of the case and to bring the identified individual, Austin Robert Drummond, in to determine what he may know."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Austin Drummond, suspect in a quadruple homicide, taken into custody in Tennessee: How the manhunt unfolded
A weeklong search that began with the abandonment of an infant has ended with the capture of the 28-year-old suspect charged in the killings. Austin Drummond, the 28-year-old accused of killing four people and abandoning an infant in Tennessee, was taken into custody Tuesday, ending a weeklong manhunt that kept the state on edge. 'Fugitive Austin Drummond is now in law enforcement custody, after having been caught in Jackson,' the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation announced in a Facebook post early Tuesday. 'We'll provide more details soon, but a hearty thanks to the public for staying vigilant these past few days.' The announcement included a photo of a clean-shaven Drummond in a wooded area moments after he was taken into custody, the agency said in a post on X. A second photo, posted by the Jackson Police Department, showed Drummond with his hands behind his back, being held by two officers. An hour earlier, police said he had been spotted in a residential area of Jackson, Tenn., and asked residents to shelter in place and keep their doors and windows locked. Drummond was wanted in the deaths of James Matthew Wilson, 21; Adriana Williams, 20; Cortney Rose, 38; and Braydon Williams, 15. How the manhunt unfolded The search for Drummond began July 29, when police said an infant was found in a car seat in 'a random individual's front yard' in Dyer County near Tigrett. A witness reported seeing a vehicle drop off the child in the person's front yard. Authorities were able to identify the infant, and police initially sought to speak with Wilson and Adriana Williams, who were the infant's parents, and Rose, the infant's maternal grandmother. Their bodies, along with that of Braydon Williams, were discovered the same day along a road in Tiptonville in Lake County. On July 31, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation issued an alert asking the public for help in finding Drummond, who was charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of aggravated kidnapping. According to police, Drummond was believed to be driving a 2016 Audi A3 with Tennessee plates and damage to the driver's side, and 'should be considered armed and dangerous.' The vehicle was later found abandoned in Jackson. A second vehicle believed to be used by Drummond — a white-and-red 1988 Ford pickup — was found in Dyer County. How police believe he evaded capture On Aug. 2, authorities announced the arrests of two men described as 'associates' of Drummond's — Tanaka Brown and Giovontie Thomas, both 29 — who were charged with helping the fugitive after the killings. Brown was also charged with tampering with evidence. Two days later, the agency announced that Dearrah Sanders, 23, had also been taken into custody on a charge of accessory after the fact for allegedly helping Drummond after the killings. On Monday, authorities released two surveillance videos of Drummond in Jackson the night before. In the footage, he is seen walking wearing camouflage and armed with a rifle. 'Drummond is considered armed and dangerous,' the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said. 'Please exercise extra caution as you come and go from your homes. Drummond is believed to still be in the area, and it's crucial to stay vigilant. Ensure all doors, garages, sheds, and outbuildings are securely locked to prevent unauthorized access.' A reward of $32,500 had been offered by local, state and federal authorities for information leading to Drummond's arrest, according to the U.S. Marshals Service. What's next? Authorities have yet to announce a motive for the killings. District Attorney Danny Goodman told the Associated Press on Tuesday that Drummond's girlfriend is the sister of the infant's grandmother. TBI Director David Rausch had previously told reporters that there was 'a familial relationship' between Drummond and the victims. The investigation is ongoing. 'Our focus now shifts to honoring the lives lost and providing support to their grieving families,' Dyer County Sheriff Jeff Box said in a statement. 'We urge the community and the media to respect their privacy as they navigate through this tragic loss.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Austin Drummond, suspect in a quadruple homicide, taken into custody in Tennessee: How the manhunt unfolded
Austin Drummond, the 28-year-old accused of killing four people and abandoning an infant in Tennessee, was taken into custody Tuesday, ending a weeklong manhunt that kept the state on edge. 'Fugitive Austin Drummond is now in law enforcement custody, after having been caught in Jackson,' the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation announced in a Facebook post early Tuesday. 'We'll provide more details soon, but a hearty thanks to the public for staying vigilant these past few days.' The announcement included a photo of clean-shaven Drummond in a wooded area moments after he was taken into custody, the agency said in a post on X. A second photo posted by the Jackson Police Department showed Drummond with his hands behind his back, being held by two officers. An hour earlier, police said he had been spotted in a residential area of Jackson, Tenn., asking residents to shelter in place and keep their doors and windows locked. Drummond was wanted in the deaths of James Matthew Wilson, 21; Adriana Williams, 20; Cortney Rose, 38; and Braydon Williams, 15. How the manhunt unfolded The search for Drummond began July 29, when police said an infant was found in a car seat in "a random individual's front yard" in Dyer County near Tigrett. A witness reported seeing a vehicle drop off the child in the person's front yard. Authorities were able to identify the infant, and police initially sought to speak with Wilson and Williams, who were the infant's parents, and Rose, the infant's maternal grandmother. Their bodies, along with Braydon Williams, were discovered the same day along a road in Tiptonville in Lake County. Their causes of death have not been disclosed. On July 31, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation issued an alert asking the public for help in finding Drummond, who was charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of aggravated kidnapping. According to police, Drummond was believed to be driving a 2016 Audi A3 with Tennessee plates and damage to the driver's side, and 'should be considered armed and dangerous.' The vehicle was later found abandoned in Jackson. A second vehicle believed to be used by Drummond — a white and red 1988 Ford pickup — was found in Dyer County. How police believe he evaded capture On Aug. 2, authorities announced the arrests of two men described as 'associates' of Drummond's — Tanaka Brown and Giovontie Thomas, both 29 — who were charged with helping the fugitive after the killings. Brown was also charged with tampering with evidence. Two days later, the agency announced that Dearrah Sanders, 23, was also taken into custody on a charge of accessory after the fact for allegedly helping Drummond after the murders. On Monday, authorities released surveillance video of Drummond in Jackson the night before. In the footage, he was seen walking wearing camouflage and armed with a rifle. "Drummond is considered armed and dangerous," the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said. "Please exercise extra caution as you come and go from your homes. Drummond is believed to still be in the area, and it's crucial to stay vigilant. Ensure all doors, garages, sheds, and outbuildings are securely locked to prevent unauthorized access." A reward of $32,500 had been offered by local, state and federal authorities for information leading to Drummond's arrest. What's next? Authorities have yet to announce a motive for the murders. TBI Director David B. Rausch had previously told reporters that there was 'a familial relationship' between Drummond and the victims. The investigation is ongoing. 'Our focus now shifts to honoring the lives lost and providing support to their grieving families,' Dyer County Sheriff Jeff Box said in a statement. 'We urge the community and the media to respect their privacy as they navigate through this tragic loss.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Austin Drummond, suspect in a quadruple murder, taken into custody in Tennessee: How the manhunt unfolded
A weeklong search that began with the abandonment of an infant has ended with the capture of the 28-year-old suspect charged in the killings. Austin Drummond, the 28-year-old accused of killing four people and abandoning an infant in Tennessee, was taken into custody Tuesday, ending a weeklong manhunt that kept the state on edge. 'Fugitive Austin Drummond is now in law enforcement custody, after having been caught in Jackson,' the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation announced in a Facebook post early Tuesday. 'We'll provide more details soon, but a hearty thanks to the public for staying vigilant these past few days.' The announcement included a photo of clean-shaven Drummond in a wooded area moments after he was taken into custody, the agency said in a post on X. A second photo posted by the Jackson Police Department showed Drummond with his hands behind his back, being held by two officers. An hour earlier, police said he had been spotted in a residential area of Jackson, Tenn., asking residents to shelter in place and keep their doors and windows locked. Drummond was wanted in the deaths of James Matthew Wilson, 21; Adriana Williams, 20; Cortney Rose, 38; and Braydon Williams, 15. How the manhunt unfolded The search for Drummond began July 29, when police said an infant was found in a car seat in "a random individual's front yard" in Dyer County near Tigrett. A witness reported seeing a vehicle drop off the child in the person's front yard. Authorities were able to identify the infant, and police initially sought to speak with Wilson and Williams, who were the infant's parents, and Rose, the infant's maternal grandmother. Their bodies, along with Braydon Williams, were discovered the same day along a road in Tiptonville in Lake County. Their causes of death have not been disclosed. On July 31, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation issued an alert asking the public for help in finding Drummond, who was charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of aggravated kidnapping. According to police, Drummond was believed to be driving a 2016 Audi A3 with Tennessee plates and damage to the driver's side, and 'should be considered armed and dangerous.' The vehicle was later found abandoned in Jackson. A second vehicle believed to be used by Drummond — a white and red 1988 Ford pickup — was found in Dyer County. How police believe he evaded capture On Aug. 2, authorities announced the arrests of two men described as 'associates' of Drummond's — Tanaka Brown and Giovontie Thomas, both 29 — who were charged with helping the fugitive after the killings. Brown was also charged with tampering with evidence. Two days later, the agency announced that Dearrah Sanders, 23, was also taken into custody on a charge of accessory after the fact for allegedly helping Drummond after the murders. On Monday, authorities released surveillance video of Drummond in Jackson the night before. In the footage, he was seen walking wearing camouflage and armed with a rifle. "Drummond is considered armed and dangerous," the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said. "Please exercise extra caution as you come and go from your homes. Drummond is believed to still be in the area, and it's crucial to stay vigilant. Ensure all doors, garages, sheds, and outbuildings are securely locked to prevent unauthorized access." A reward of $32,500 had been offered by local, state and federal authorities for information leading to Drummond's arrest. What's next? Authorities have yet to announce a motive for the murders. TBI Director David B. Rausch had previously told reporters that there was 'a familial relationship' between Drummond and the victims. The investigation is ongoing. 'Our focus now shifts to honoring the lives lost and providing support to their grieving families,' Dyer County Sheriff Jeff Box said in a statement. 'We urge the community and the media to respect their privacy as they navigate through this tragic loss.'
