By Nicole June

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – UPDATE: 5:45 am Wed. Oct 3:

Authorities surrounded an area in Montgomery County early Wednesday morning after a reported sighting of a man in the woods with a gun, according to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.

Officers swarmed the Poplar Springs area after a resident called in the sighting. The sheriff’s office stressed it is not a confirmed sighting of Wallace.

Metro police are investigating after the clerk of a gas station off Interstate 24 in Joelton reported Wallace stopped at the store and bought $5 in gas. 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.

Law enforcement officials held a series of press conferences Tuesday, October 2 to provide updates on the ongoing manhunt for suspected murderer Kirby Gene Wallace.

Wallace, 53, is a suspect in two murder investigations.

Kirby Gene Wallace (Photo: MCSO)

As the manhunt continues into day four, 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 another 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.”

Stewart County Sheriff Frankie Gray said there is no reason to believe Wallace is not in the search area. Law enforcement have received over 100 tips, including many about possible hiding places, and each one has been investigated. Gray said the terrain in the area includes caves and other tricky areas, but authorities are searching them all.

As of Tuesday afternoon the search perimeter has been updated to a new, approximately two-mile radius (see map below). “We will check every hole, every culvert, every creek, every tree before we release the perimeter,” Fuson said. “I feel very confident on the perimeter that we have and I feel very confident on the direction that we’re going.”

UPDATE: The following intersections in Montgomery and Stewart counties have been closed:

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

The perimeter created by law enforcement has been broken down into a grid system, according to Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) spokesperson Sandra Brandon. Deputies are going door-to-door in each section of the grid to speak to every household and clear all buildings and structures. Checkpoints are still set up in the area and anyone attempting to leave or enter the area will be stopped by law enforcement and searched.

Those who live in the area will be allowed to return home this evening but will be required to go through the checkpoints set up around the perimeter and will be escorted home.

Anyone who sees Wallace is asked to call 911 immediately. Officials stressed that citizens are not to engage or approach the suspect. Brandon and Gray said public safety is the number one priority.

“We need the community to help us, to be our eyes and ears,” Gray said.

Brandon said MCSO does not have any plans to release the identity of the victim in Monday morning’s shooting on Welker Road. She said identification of the victim is pending full notification of family.

Sheriff Fuson said during Tuesday afternoon’s press conference that he is certain Wallace is the person responsible for the fatal shooting and believes evidence collected at the scene will confirm that.

Read more about the murder investigations here.

As of Tuesday morning, the U.S. Marshal Service has added a $2,500 reward for information leading to Wallace’s arrest, bringing the total reward amount to $7,500.

School Bus Routes cancelled Tuesday, Oct. 2: School Buses 784 and 1724, serving Woodlawn Elementary, New Providence Middle and Northwest High will not be running their routes Tuesday because they are in the search area.

Woodlawn Elementary and Liberty Elementary remain on lockout status until otherwise notified. Police are positioned at the two elementary schools. Bus routes north of the search area are being accompanied by law enforcement.

Clarksville-Montgomery County School System (CMCSS) spokesperson Elise Shelton said law enforcement is stationed at both elementary schools and is screening anyone who comes in our out. Children will not be allowed outside until the end of the school day.

Stewart County schools are currently on a soft lockdown. Security has been heightened and deputies are escorting school buses in the Indian Mound area. Director of Schools Leta Joiner said the school system believes students are safer at school than at home.

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. This is the designated collection point for supply donations. Officials said they had enough supplies for Tuesday, but will provide an update about other necessary supplies Wednesday morning.