Crime
Brandon Powell Charged as Accessory and with Evidence Tampering in Lake County Quadruple Homicide Investigation
DYER COUNTY, Tenn. — A fourth individual has been charged in connection with the ongoing investigation into a quadruple homicide that claimed the lives of four individuals, including three members of the same family, according to an update provided by Dyer County District Attorney Danny Goodman on Monday, August 4.
During a court appearance for Tanaka Brown, who was arraigned on charges of Accessory After the Fact to First Degree Murder and Tampering with Evidence, Goodman announced that two additional suspects—Dearrah Sanders and Brandon Powell—have now been arrested and charged in relation to the case.
Sanders faces charges of Accessory After the Fact to First Degree Murder for allegedly assisting the primary suspect, Austin Drummond, after the killings. Powell has been charged with Possession of Schedule VI Drugs and Criminal Conspiracy.
Earlier in the investigation, authorities arrested Giovonte Thomas, who is also charged as an Accessory After the Fact to First Degree Murder.
All four individuals are believed to have aided the suspect or obstructed the investigation following the quadruple murder in Tiptonville, which has drawn significant attention and prompted a multi-agency manhunt.
The investigation remains active, and law enforcement officials have indicated that additional arrests are possible as they continue to pursue leads in the case.
Crime
16-year-old Khyon Smith-Tate found shot to death inside Chipotle bathroom on edge of Temple University’s campus in North Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA — A 16-year-old boy was fatally shot inside the bathroom of a Chipotle restaurant near Temple University’s campus in North Philadelphia on Monday afternoon, police said, as students and staff returned for the first day of the Spring 2026 semester.
The shooting occurred at approximately 5:00 p.m. inside the Chipotle located in the 1100 block of West Montgomery Avenue, on the ground floor of The View at Montgomery apartment complex. The building is situated near Temple University’s Student Center and TECH Center.
Police later identified the victim as Khyon Smith-Tate, a North Philadelphia resident. Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said Smith-Tate was found with a gunshot wound to the chest and was pronounced dead at 5:24 p.m.
Temple University President John Fry and Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police Jennifer Griffin issued a joint statement following the incident:
“The loss of life to gun violence is a profound tragedy, and there are no words that can make sense of it. Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and loved ones.”
According to investigators, Smith-Tate and another minor entered the restaurant and requested access to the restroom. Chief Inspector Small said the shooting is believed to have occurred inside the bathroom.
Moments later, employees discovered Smith-Tate suffering from a gunshot wound. Police recovered one spent shell casing from a semiautomatic weapon inside the restroom.
Although the victim’s last known address was approximately eight blocks from the scene, authorities have not indicated what brought him to the location or what led to the shooting.
At the time of the incident, the restaurant was crowded, and multiple individuals inside the business were detained briefly for questioning. However, police said they have not yet obtained any statements from witnesses who reported hearing a gunshot.
A person of interest was taken into custody several blocks from the scene shortly after the shooting, but Chief Inspector Small said that individual’s involvement remains unclear.
As of Tuesday, police confirmed that no arrests have been made and no motive has been established.
Investigators believe Smith-Tate entered the restroom with another minor, though the whereabouts of that individual remain unknown.
Police are also seeking information about three possible suspects, described as teenagers carrying backpacks.
Chief Inspector Small noted that the area is equipped with numerous surveillance cameras, which detectives are reviewing as part of the ongoing investigation.
Authorities are asking anyone with information related to the incident to contact the Philadelphia Police Department.