The suspect wanted for the vicious murders of four family members in Tennessee was on bail for another murder he allegedly committed while incarcerated, according to investigators.
The search for Austin Drummond, 28, intensified on Friday when his damaged Audi A3 was discovered abandoned in his home county of Jackson. Authorities are urging him to surrender without further incident.
Tennessee Bureau of Investigations Director David Rausch urged residents in the Jackson area to lock their doors and stay alert.
“Austin is armed and dangerous,” Rausch stated during a Friday afternoon press briefing, emphasizing the public should avoid interacting with him.
Rausch said investigators believe Drummond is still in the Jackson area and has direct ties to the county.
Drummond was recently released from prison last September and was out on bond for an attempted murder charge he allegedly committed while incarcerated, said the TBI director.
The suspect is also facing separate drug charges from his days in prison, investigators revealed.
“Although the event was extremely tragic and violent, there was a sign of compassion, indicating there’s a chance Austin might believe there’s still hope for him to come forward for a discussion about what transpired,” Rausch noted.
