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
Victims Identified in Deadly Robeson County Mass Shooting
Two Dead, 13 Injured in Mass Shooting at Large Party in Robeson County, North Carolina
ROBESON COUNTY, N.C. — A late-night party in eastern North Carolina turned deadly early Saturday morning when gunfire erupted, leaving two people dead and 13 others injured, according to the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Burnis Wilkins confirmed that deputies were called to the scene on Dixon Drive, just outside the town of Maxton, at approximately 3:00 a.m. following reports of a shooting at a large outdoor gathering attended by more than 150 people.
When deputies arrived, chaos had already unfolded — witnesses said over 150 individuals fled the area before law enforcement could secure the scene.
Authorities identified the deceased victims as Jessie Locklear and his son Nehemiah Locklear.
Several other victims sustained critical injuries and were transported to area hospitals for emergency treatment.
Sheriff Wilkins stated that, based on preliminary findings, the shooting appears to have been an isolated incident, and there is no ongoing threat to the wider community.
The Robeson County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from multiple agencies, continues to investigate the circumstances that led to the violence.
Detectives are working to determine the motive and identify all parties involved.
Authorities are urging anyone with information—or anyone who attended the gathering and witnessed the incident—to contact the Robeson County Sheriff’s Investigators at 910-671-3100.
“We know there were many people present when this occurred,” Sheriff Wilkins said. “If you saw something or know something, we need you to come forward to help bring justice to the victims and their families.”