Crime
Quadruple murder suspect Austin Drummond taken into custody
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Austin Drummond, the suspect wanted in connection with a quadruple homicide in West Tennessee, was taken into custody Tuesday morning, according to law enforcement officials.
Drummond’s arrest followed an intense manhunt that prompted a shelter-in-place alert for residents in Jackson, Tennessee, after the Jackson Police Department confirmed a sighting of the fugitive.
Police issued an emergency advisory stating:
“Due to the sighting of suspect Austin Drummond in the area of Saddlebrook Drive and Bridlepath Drive, please shelter in place immediately.”
Authorities also closed the area of Pleasant Plains and Country Club, warning residents to remain indoors, lock all windows and doors, and avoid unnecessary travel during the active search.
The search for Drummond had intensified over the past several days.
On Monday, Union University was placed on lockdown, and multiple law enforcement agencies were deployed to the area. Roads near Pleasant Plains Extension and Oil Well Road were also blocked off as part of the manhunt.
Drummond had been on the run since Tuesday of the previous week, when four members of the same family were found murdered in Lake County.
His vehicle was later located in Jackson on Friday, leading investigators to believe he remained in the area.
On Sunday night, Drummond was captured on a citizen’s home surveillance system in the 700 block of Pipkin Road. In the footage, he was seen wearing camouflage, carrying a rifle, and wearing a backpack.
One of the surveillance videos shows him attempting to open a door.
Jackson Police are urging residents to continue reporting any suspicious activity by calling 731-425-8400.
MT. JULIET, Tenn. — Authorities have identified two victims killed during an active shooter incident at Cedar Creek Marina in Mt. Juliet late Friday night.
The suspect, identified as Gary Haley, a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history, is deceased following an officer-involved shooting, officials confirmed.
Mount Juliet Police officers were dispatched at approximately 9:30 p.m. Friday to the Cedar Creek Marina, located in the 9000 block of Saundersville Road, after receiving reports of a man threatening another individual on the docks.
Due to the active shooter report, a shelter-in-place order was issued for the surrounding area as a precaution.
Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim was later identified as Robby Brogdon, who was transported to a local hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Despite life-saving efforts, Brogdon later succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators determined that the suspected shooter had retreated to a boat within the marina and had barricaded himself inside.
The standoff continued for several hours as officers secured the scene and attempted to resolve the situation safely.
At approximately 1:00 a.m. Saturday, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) reported that the suspect engaged responding officers and fired shots at them under circumstances that remain under investigation. Officers returned fire.
The suspect, Gary Haley, was later found deceased aboard the vessel.
During the course of the response, officers also discovered a second adult male victim, Nathan Jones, who had been shot by the suspect.
Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.
No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has assumed responsibility for the investigation, which includes a homicide, an attempted homicide, and an officer-involved shooting.
TBI agents are actively conducting interviews, collecting evidence, and working to establish a comprehensive timeline of events.
Upon completion of the investigation, findings will be submitted to 15th Judicial District Attorney General Jason Lawson for review.
Authorities stated that additional information will be released as it becomes available.