By Nicole June
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Authorities held another press conference Wednesday morning to provide updates on the ongoing manhunt for suspected killer Kirby Wallace, 53, who is wanted for two murders in the area.
Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) spokesperson Sandra Brandon said authorities received a call Wednesday at 12:40 a.m. regarding a possible sighting of Wallace near the 4000 block of Polar Springs Rd. The caller heard his dogs barking and saw a man who may have been carrying a firearm try to enter his porch. He said the man then ran off into the woods.
Law enforcement responded to the area and set up a second search perimeter in the area. It is unclear at this time whether the person on the porch was Wallace, but authorities are working to confirm that information.
The wider, two-mile search perimeter established Tuesday is still in place with checkpoints and road closures, including the following intersections:
Poplar Springs Rd at Cumberland City Rd
Kirkland Rd at Lylewood Rd
Kirkland Rd at Bartee Rd
Bartee Rd at Wildcat Creek Rd
Riversbend Rd at Hayes Ridge Rd (both intersections)
Hayes Ridge Rd at Glen Holliday Rd
Seven Mile Ridge Rd at Hayes Ridge Rd
Lt. Bill Miller from Tennessee Highway Patrol said the agency is continuing to provide support on the ground and in the air and is committed to the search until the suspect is in custody.
Authorities have still not released the identity of the victim shot and killed by Wallace Monday morning on Welker Road. Brandon said the investigation is ongoing and further information will not be released at this time.
Susan Niland with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said agents are still collecting evidence, which is being processed by forensic teams. She did not say what evidence has been collected thus far.
Niland said the community has been asking how to help, and she suggests contacting friends and relatives within the search area.
“If you haven’t heard from them in the past 24 hours, please contact them and check on them,” she said.
Officials stressed that anyone who has information can continue to provide tips to 1-800-TBI-FIND. Urgent calls or sightings should be made to 911. The public is NOT encouraged to approach or engage with Wallace, who is considered armed and dangerous.
Wallace has been on the run since escaping from law enforcement on Saturday.
Metro police are investigating after the clerk of a gas station off Interstate 24 in Joelton reported a man resembling Wallace stopped at the store and bought $5 in gas.
The man stopped at the gas station around 1:30 a.m. at the Chips Kwik Stop on White’s Creek Pike. Again, this sighting was unconfirmed.
Officers checked vehicles throughout the night Tuesday, making sure every car within the search zone was clear and Wallace was not hiding inside.
Montgomery County Schools remain on lockout procedure, meaning all students are inside throughout the school day with staff securing property and outside doors remain locked.
Stewart County Schools are on soft lockdown until Wallace is captured. Soft lockdown creates a controlled environment, including locked and secured classrooms.
Law enforcement officers will continue to follow school buses in the impacted area while parents are urged to keep children inside until the bus arrives.
At least 24 agencies are in the Montgomery County and Stewart County areas searching. Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) said 50 troopers are on the ground in the search area and two helicopters are on rotating shifts. A Tennessee National Guard UH-72 Lakota helicopter equipped with thermal and night vision capability has also joined the search.
Montgomery County Sheriff John Fuson joined other law enforcement officials in urging the public once again not to approach Wallace if spotted, but to call 911 immediately. In a firm statement to the suspect, Kirby Wallace, Fuson said he wants to end the manhunt peacefully.
“Do the right thing. Let’s end this the right way,” Fuson said during the press conference. “One way or the other we’re taking you in. We’re going to drag you in kicking and screaming. We want to end this peacefully, so you can do yourself a favor and turn yourself in.”
The reward for information leading to his arrest is up to $7,500.
MCSO said if you would like to donate water, drinks, prepackaged snacks or food for first responders participating in the search, drop the items off at Blooming Grove Baptist Church at 3900 Lylewood Rd, Woodlawn, TN 37191. In Stewart County, the Wives of Stewart County Law Enforcement are also looking for help. Their collection point is at Dover City Hall.