Surveillance captures Austin Dramond, suspected of a quadruple murder
A man suspected of committing four times more murder was found on surveillance footage in Jackson, Tennessee on Sunday, August 3rd, just days after the victim’s body was found in Tiptonville.
Austin Dramond, a man at the heart of a few days of manhunt accused of four times murders in Tennessee, was arrested on Tuesday, August 5th.
Drummond was sought in connection with the murders of four people in Lake County on July 29th. He was taken into custody at the Jackson Police Department, according to the Dyer County Sheriff’s Office.
“This would not have been achieved without the tireless work and dedication of our local, state and federal partners,” Sheriff Jeff Box said in a statement.
“Their commitment to clocks and public safety after 3pm on Tuesday was invaluable throughout this investigation. Our citizens were also extremely helpful and supportive. We are always grateful to be happy partners with our agents and investigators,” Box continues.
Drummond faces several charges, including first-degree murder, worsening trickery and being a felony in possession of a firearm.
Drummond was found on Jackson’s surveillance cameras
The incident began on July 29th after a young seven-month-old girl was found sitting in the car seat in the front yard of a stranger near Tigret, a Dyer County community.
Hours later, authorities announced they were investigating the crime scene in Tiptonville, where four people died, revealing that there may be a connection between the incidents.
The victims were identified as 15-year-old Braydon Williams, 20-year-old Adriana Williams, 21-year-old James Matthew Wilson, and 38-year-old Courtney Rose. The victims were the babies’ parents, uncles and grandmothers.
Armed and considered dangerous, Drummond was recently arrested for surveillance footage in a well-known search to track him down. The 28-year-old was seen on Jackson’s surveillance video on August 3rd, wearing a camouflage outfit with a brown backpack. He also appeared to carry a black rifle in his hand.
Three other people linked to Drummond’s Manhunt have been arrested
Authorities have charged three people in connection with supporting Drummond.
According to a statement from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), 23-year-old Dearra Sanders was arrested on August 4 on accessories charges following the fact of first-degree murder. They claimed that Sanders saved Drummond after the murder occurred.
Tanaka Brown, 29, and Giovonte Thomas, 29, were arrested for accessories after the first-degree murder facts on August 1 and August 2, respectively, the agency said in a pair of statements. The update added that Brown was charged with one count of tampering with evidence.
Thomas was already booked at the Madison County Jail on unrelated charges, and was expected to be moved to the Lake County Jail for his arrest, according to a statement.
Drummond has a criminal history
Drummond was sentenced to 13 years in 2014 for robbery and retaliation, according to Memphis Commercial Appeal, part of the USA Today Network. He was released in September 2024, but despite several pending smuggling charges he had and including handguns, he was released.
Contributors: James Powell, Sarah Best, USA Today
Taylor Ardley is a news reporter for USA Today. You can contact her at Tardrey@gannett.com.
