Crime
Ricardo Contreras Mendoza, the man who caught Quadruple murder suspect Austin Drummond
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The manhunt for quadruple murder suspect Austin Drummond came to an end Tuesday morning after he was captured by a Jackson resident, identified as Ricardo Contreras Mendoza, according to law enforcement.
Ricardo Contreras called police this morning when he saw Austin Drummond walking in the woods.
Drummond had been the subject of an intense, multi-agency search following the August 1 discovery of four family members fatally shot in Lake County, Tennessee.
The weeklong manhunt reached a critical point Tuesday after Drummond was spotted in a residential area of Jackson, Tennessee, prompting a shelter-in-place alert for residents near Saddlebrook Drive and Bridlepath Drive.
The Jackson Police Department issued a public safety message urging residents to:
“Shelter in place immediately. Lock all doors and windows, remain indoors, and avoid unnecessary travel.”
Authorities also blocked off roads in the Pleasant Plains and Country Club area as the search intensified.
Law enforcement said Ricardo Contreras Mendoza played a pivotal role in Drummond’s apprehension.
Details surrounding the exact circumstances of the capture have not yet been released, but officials confirmed that Mendoza was instrumental in spotting and detaining the fugitive until police arrived.
Drummond had evaded capture since last Tuesday, when he allegedly killed four relatives in Lake County. His abandoned vehicle was discovered in Jackson on Friday, leading authorities to believe he was hiding somewhere in the area.
On Sunday night, a home surveillance camera captured footage of Drummond on Pipkin Road, wearing camouflage, a backpack, and carrying a rifle. In one clip, he could be seen attempting to open a door.
The manhunt resulted in heightened police presence near Pleasant Plains Extension and Oil Well Road, as well as a temporary lockdown at Union University on Monday as sightings continued to pour in.
Authorities are now working to piece together the timeline of Drummond’s movements over the past week and determine whether anyone may have assisted him while he was on the run.
The Jackson Police Department is continuing its investigation and encourages anyone with further information to call 731-425-8400.
Crime
Woman Fatally Struck by Semi-Truck on Birmingham Interstate Exit Ramp Identified as Shontea Baker
Authorities have identified the woman who was killed earlier this week after being struck by a semi-truck on an interstate exit ramp in Birmingham.
The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office confirmed on Friday that the victim was Shontea Renee Baker, 40, a Birmingham resident.
The fatal incident occurred at approximately 10:26 a.m. Wednesday on the Arkadelphia Road exit ramp from Interstate 59/20.
Emergency responders pronounced Baker deceased at the scene at 10:42 a.m.
At this time, no further details regarding the circumstances of the crash have been released.
The Birmingham Police Department is continuing to investigate the incident.