Crime
Third Person Arrested in Lake County Quadruple Homicide Investigation, Dearrah Sanders Charged as Accessory
JACKSON, Tenn. — A large-scale manhunt is underway in Jackson as law enforcement agencies search for Austin Drummond, the suspect wanted in connection with a quadruple homicide in Tiptonville, Tennessee.
Authorities have surrounded a heavily wooded area near Cherry Grove Apartments and are also searching wooded terrain near Union University off Pleasant Plains Road.
The search has prompted a significant law enforcement presence in north Jackson, including personnel from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), Tennessee Highway Patrol, Madison County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson Police Department, and SWAT units.
As of Monday morning, TBI Special Agents confirmed the arrest of a third individual in connection with the ongoing fugitive investigation.
Dearrah Sanders, a resident of Jackson, has been charged with Accessory After the Fact to First Degree Murder for allegedly assisting Drummond after the killings.
Sanders is expected to be booked into the Lake County Jail.
In addition to Sanders, 29-year-old Tanaka Brown and 29-year-old Giovonti Thomas have also been charged with Accessory After the Fact to First Degree Murder.
Brown is facing an additional charge of Tampering with Evidence.
The manhunt has impacted traffic and prompted safety measures in the surrounding area.
Just after 11:00 a.m., the Jackson Police Department issued a traffic advisory stating that Pleasant Plains Road is temporarily closed from Oil Well Road to Country Club Lane, and drivers were urged to seek alternate routes.
Witnesses reported seeing helicopters circling overhead, and several area schools—including Jackson Christian School and Union University—briefly entered lockdown as a precaution.
When contacted for additional information, Jackson Police referred inquiries to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
The TBI confirmed that the law enforcement activity is part of an ongoing investigation, but declined to release further details at this time.
Authorities continue to urge residents to avoid the affected areas and report any suspicious activity. The manhunt remains active.
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.