A Tennessee man accused of brutally killing four people has spoken publicly for the first time, saying he is innocent and was targeted because he worked as a confidential informant.
The Accusations
Austin Drummond, 28, is charged with killing James Matthew Wilson (21), Adrianna Williams (20), Cortney Rose (38), and Braydon Williams (15) in July 2024. He also allegedly abandoned a 7-month-old baby related to the victims.
Police charged him with first-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping, possession of a firearm during a felony, and being a felon in possession of a weapon. He is currently being held in jail.
Drummond’s Side of the Story
In an interview with local CBS affiliate WTVF, Drummond insisted he had no reason to kill the victims, whom he described as family. Instead, he claimed his cover as an informant for law enforcement and the FBI was blown, and that is what led to the tragedy.
Drummond said he had infiltrated the Vice Lords gang while behind bars as part of a prison drug-smuggling investigation. But weeks before the murders, his identity was revealed.
“They found out I was an informant,” Drummond told WTVF. “I was afraid because I knew bad things would happen.”
He admitted to running from police after the killings but said it was out of fear, not guilt.
A Long Criminal Record
Court records reveal that Drummond has a history of serious crimes, including:
Armed robbery
Vandalism
Retaliation against jurors and victims
He once spent 13 years in prison for robbing a Circle K convenience store at gunpoint, where he stole just $44.
After the trial, prosecutors say he called his father and threatened jurors, saying, “They are going to regret it” and “I’ll be out one day.”
Parole Warnings Ignored
In 2020, District Attorney General Jody Pickens wrote to the Tennessee Board of Parole, warning against Drummond’s release. Pickens said Drummond showed no signs of rehabilitation and posed a serious risk to society.
Despite this, Drummond was released in late 2024. Just months later, he became the main suspect in the killings.
Troubling Prison Behavior
Reports also reveal Drummond faced charges while in prison for attempted murder and smuggling contraband. Photos from his Facebook page, which police used during the manhunt, show him eating pizza, drinking alcohol, and even playing a Nintendo Switch inside prison.
“These actions prove he has no intention of changing,” Pickens said. “He is not capable of living among society.”
Where the Case Stands
Drummond insists he is innocent and blames his alleged role as an informant for the violence. But prosecutors say the evidence shows a dangerous man with a violent past who should never have been released.
The case of Austin Drummond highlights the dangers of early prison releases and how repeat offenders can pose risks to communities. While Drummond insists he is innocent and targeted because of his informant work, his criminal history and violent record continue to raise serious concerns.
The trial will determine whether his claims hold any truth or if this was another act of violence by a man long considered a threat to society.
