Authorities are looking for a Tennessee man suspected of killing four members of a family he allegedly “knew” — including two parents and a teenager — on the same day a 7-month-old relative of theirs was abandoned in a “random” person’s yard in a car seat, according to officials.
Austin Drummond, 28, is wanted on charges of first-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping, felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony.
According to court records reviewed by Law&Crime, he has multiple convictions, including armed robbery, vandalism, and a “retaliate for past action” charge, which occurs when someone harms or threatens someone in response to their prior involvement in legal proceedings.
“The victims were all from Dyer County, and we believe the person who killed them knew all of them,” said local district attorney Danny Goodman Jr. of the 29th Judicial District in an interview with CNN on Thursday.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation informed Law&Crime that Drummond had been added to the state’s most wanted list because he was still wanted as of 2 p.m.
“At this time, Drummond remains at large and should be considered armed and dangerous,” a TBI press release states.
Drummond’s photos were released online Thursday, and the public was made aware of his alleged involvement.
A Facebook profile with the same name and images released by law enforcement claims to be “friends” with a profile with the same purported name as one of the victims, Williams.
In September 2024, the person behind the profile announced that he had been released from prison after making several posts from a purported correctional facility in the months and years prior.
According to court records, Drummond was sentenced to ten years in prison for armed robbery in 2015 after stealing $44 from a Circle K convenience store register.
“I got the munchies,” he told a clerk before robbing the store with a pistol, court documents show.
“I’m not f—ing playing with you,” Drummond said as he went behind the counter. “Open the drawer.”
According to TBI officials, federal investigators and TBI agents were on the scene Wednesday to assist police with the “tragic” death investigation after the bodies were discovered Tuesday in Lake County along Carrington Road in Tiptonville.
The investigation began after Wilson and Williams’ 7-month-old daughter was discovered in a “random individual’s front yard” on Tuesday at 3:10 p.m., according to police.
According to Goodman, a “dark-colored minivan or a white mid-size SUV” was reported to have dropped off the infant in a car seat, prompting police to Lake County and the bodies being discovered approximately five hours later after authorities identified the child’s parents.
Drummond is believed to be driving a 2016 Audi A3 with Tennessee plates and driver’s side damage, according to a statement posted on Facebook by the Dyer County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday.
“Can you spot him?” “Do not approach,” the office warned.
