JACKSON, Tenn. — A multi-agency manhunt is underway in north Jackson as law enforcement continues its search for a suspect connected to a quadruple homicide in Tiptonville, Tennessee. The ongoing investigation has now resulted in the arrest of a third individual believed to have assisted the primary suspect after the deadly incident.
Authorities have confirmed that Dearrah Sanders, a resident of Jackson, has been taken into custody. Sanders has been charged with Accessory After the Fact to First Degree Murder, for allegedly aiding the fugitive following the homicides. She is expected to be booked into Lake County Jail as the case progresses.
The fugitive, Austin Drummond, remains at large and is believed to be hiding in or near a heavily wooded area near the Cherry Grove Apartments and Union University, off Pleasant Plains Road. Law enforcement agencies have surrounded the region as the search intensifies.
The large-scale manhunt has led to 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 specialized SWAT teams. Helicopters have been spotted circling the area, as tactical units search dense terrain.
This arrest follows earlier charges against Tanaka Brown, 29, and Giovonti Thomas, 29, who have also been charged as accessories after the fact. In addition to the accessory charge, Brown faces an extra count of Tampering with Evidence, suggesting further efforts to obstruct the investigation.
The heightened law enforcement activity has impacted local traffic and school operations. At approximately 11:00 a.m., the Jackson Police Department issued a public advisory stating that Pleasant Plains Road is temporarily closed between Oil Well Road and Country Club Lane, urging drivers to seek alternate routes.
As a precaution, Union University and Jackson Christian School entered brief lockdowns due to their proximity to the active search zone. Both institutions have since resumed normal activity, but security remains heightened until the suspect is apprehended.
Law enforcement agencies continue to withhold many investigative details, citing the sensitive and active nature of the case. When contacted for updates, the Jackson Police Department directed inquiries to the TBI, which confirmed that this activity is tied to the homicide investigation but declined to provide additional information.
Authorities are urging residents in the affected areas to remain indoors, avoid wooded terrain, and report any unusual or suspicious activity. Community members are reminded that harboring or assisting a fugitive is a serious crime with significant legal consequences.
The manhunt remains active as state and local agencies collaborate to locate and apprehend the primary suspect. The investigation continues to evolve, and officials anticipate further developments in the coming days.
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