Sources close to the investigation say they have Kirby Wallace cornered, SWAT has taken over the ground assault and the search perimeter has been narrowed.
Sheriff Frankie Gray confirmed that an officer spotted him in a field and he’s now surrounded and confined in a very small, wooded area in Montgomery County.
Wallace was allegedly seen in the 4000 block Poplar Springs Road around 12:40 a.m. Wednesday. A man told authorities that he heard his dogs barking and saw a man attempting to enter his porch. The man appeared to have a gun.
From there, he reportedly ran into the woods.
The Montgomery County Sheriff's office said they also received other calls of suspicious activity in the area. A second search perimeter has now been established.
Hours later, a second, credible sighting was reported in the same area of Poplar Springs Road. However, it's not yet confirmed if it's Wallace.
Update: 11 a.m. Wednesday
Stewart County Sheriff Frankie Gray spoke with NewsChannel 5 Wednesday morning, saying they’re deploying more teams to that area and tightening down the perimeter.
“Stay inside, lock their doors and call us if you see or hear anything suspicious,” Sheriff Gray urged residents.
"We received a call from a resident on Poplar Springs Rd of a man in the woods with a gun. We have sent units to the area and it is currently surrounded. This is not a confirmed sighting of Wallace but is a sighting of a man with a gun, so we are investigating. Please continue to be vigilant by locking all your doors and windows and report any suspicious activity." - Montgomery County Sheriff's Office
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said they have no reason to believe that he's left the area. At least 10 agents and 100 Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers were among those assisting in the search.
THP also has two, rotating helicopters searching the area.
The manhunt intensified Monday after Kirby Wallace allegedly shot and killed a homeowner during a carjacking on Welker Road.
Montgomery County Sheriff John Fuson said even though Wallace hasn’t been positively identified as the suspect, they believe it’s him based on evidence collected at the scene.
The stolen truck was spotted on Frankie Road – not far from the Stewart County line. The vehicle was found crashed and abandoned, indicating Wallace was on foot.
Read More: Wallace On Foot After Deadly Carjacking
Wallace is wanted for first-degree murder, felony murder, aggravated arson, especially aggravated kidnapping, especially aggravated robbery, especially aggravated burglary, and theft of property. He's been added to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation's Top 10 Most Wanted list.
Information For Parents/Residents:
If you know someone in that area, the TBI urges you to contact that person to make sure he or she is safe. If you don't hear back in a reasonable amount of time, call authorities.
For school bus riders in the Indian Mound area, deputies will follow buses as kids get on and off. Parents were urged not to leave their children alone while waiting for the bus.
Bus 1724, serving Woodlawn Elementary, New Providence Middle and Northwest High did not run its route this morning because of the search.
Woodlawn Elementary and Liberty Elementary will remain on lockout. Law enforcement will again be positioned at the two elementary schools. Bus routes north of the search area will be accompanied by law enforcement.
Search perimeters remain active throughout the area. Several intersections are still closed and perimeters are up and people are being told to keep their homes locked.
- Cumberland City Road and Lylewood Road (Montgomery County)
- Cumberland City Road and Poplar Springs Road (Montgomery County)
- Cumberland City Road and 7 Mile Ridge Road (Stewart County)
- Cumberland City Road and Glen Holliday Road (Stewart County)
- Cumberland City Road and Hayes Ridge Road (Stewart County)
- Wildcat Creek and Highway 46 (Stewart County)
- Lylewood Road and Reed Road (Montgomery County)
As of Wednesday afternoon, officials said a few checkpoints were still in place throughout the Woodlawn and Indian Mound area.
Anyone living in the area will be allowed home. Except for Poplar Springs Road between Welker Road and Cumberland City Road. It was closed until further notice.
Timeline: Kirby Wallace's Alleged Crime Spree
Officials said they've received about 100 tips so far on Wallace. Right now, they're searching the area grid-by-grid and going door-to-door.
Neighbors said they're taking all measures to stay safe.
“I'm prepared to take care of myself and my family if need be,” said resident William Morrow.
Sheriff says Wallace is ‘no Rambo’
Wallace is possibly hidden within a wooded, perimeter area and could be making his way back to a familiar area for him – Seven Mile Ridge Road and Honey Fork Road in Stewart County.
However, there is no evidence that he's somehow escaped the general area.
Sheriff Frankie Gray said it's possible Wallace has received some help. It's also possible that Wallace has a stash of supplies hidden in the woods, including possibly illegal drugs. He is a known user of meth.
“Wallace is no Rambo,” Gray told reporter Nick Beres on Tuesday.
If you would like to donate water, drinks, prepackaged snacks or food to those involved in the search, you can drop off the items at Blooming Grove Baptist Church, located at 3900 Lylewood Road in Woodlawn.
The reward for Wallace's capture has been increased to $7,500. If you live in this area and see something suspicious, call 9-1-1 or 1-800-TBI-FIND.
Sky 5 Aerials:
MORE:
Kirby Wallace Possibly Cornered; SWAT Taking Over Ground Assault
Kirby Wallace Manhunt: Suspect On Foot After Deadly Carjacking
Neighbors React To Fatal Carjacking In Wallace Manhunt
Timeline: Kirby Wallace's Alleged Crime Spree
Search Ongoing For Dangerous Fugitive Seen In Stewart County
Suspect Sought After 1 Killed, 1 Injured In Stewart County
Police Search for Man Wanted in 3 Home Invasions, Including Fatal Arson
Clarksville Kidnapping Suspect In Custody