Austin Drummond, 28, appeared in court for arraignment Thursday in Lake County, Tennessee.
Why It Matters
Drummond was arrested in Jackson on Tuesday after evading capture for seven days.
He is accused of killing 21-year-old Matthew Wilson, 20-year-old Adrianna Williams, 38-year-old Cortney Rose and 15-year-old Braydon Williams. The victims were the parents, grandmother and uncle of a baby who was found abandoned in Dyer County on July 29.
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation via AP
What To Know
Drummond has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder, along with aggravated kidnapping and abandonment. The judge entered a not guilty plea for him.
Drummond was out on bond for charges related to his time in prison when the bodies were found, CNN reported, citing authorities.
Police said on Tuesday that it was the family members of Drummond’s girlfriend who had been targeted.
Drummond spent years in prison for robbing a Tennessee convenience store in 2013 and threatening jurors, The Associated Press reported, citing court records. He pointed a pistol at an employee at the store in Jackson and directed the employee to give him money from the register. He left with $44 dollars, say court records. Drummond, who was 16 at the time, was tried as an adult.
After a jury convicted Drummond on one count of aggravated robbery, he threatened to go after jurors, he said during a parole hearing. He pleaded guilty in February 2015 to 13 counts of retaliation for past action, according to The AP.
Tennessee Department of Correction records show that Drummond was sentenced to 13 years in prison, which he finished serving in September 2024.
While imprisoned, Drummond allegedly posted photos and videos on social media depicting access to cellphones, a handheld gaming system, a TV streaming device and alcohol, WREG reported.
“When an inmate is in violation of policy, they are disciplined,” Tennessee Department of Correction told the outlet.
Newsweek reached out to the Tennessee Department of Correction for comment.
Drummond spent part of his time on the run hiding in a vacant pool house in Jackson, FOX13 Memphis reported. A caretaker who encountered Drummond there said he was confronted at gunpoint.
“I hit the ground, scrambled, and took off running,” the caretaker told FOX13. “He took off running. He ran toward me at first, which really made me take off. I spooked him.”
What People Are Saying
TBI Director David Rausch, in comments to reporters on Friday: “It appears, with all the information that we have, that this was a targeted incident.”
A caretaker who encountered Austin Drummond, in comments to FOX13 Memphis: “I feel super blessed myself from surviving that. But my heart goes out to the families. It’s a terrible, tragic thing, and I’m so glad for the people that got him into custody.”
What Happens Next
The district attorney for the state of Tennessee said he intends to seek the death penalty, and the judge denied bond.
His next court appearance is scheduled for August 14.
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