Rickman, TN – A 27-year-old Tennessee man, accused of fatally shooting a 43-year-old mother and her 25-year-old son, was arrested over the weekend following a multi-county manhunt. The suspect, Payton Wayne Nations, was spotted attempting to push his car into a lake, leading authorities to track him down.
Victims and Incident Details
Authorities reported that Christina Denise Hawkins and Thomas Hawkins were found outside their residence on the 100 block of Freeman Drive in Rickman, about 90 miles east of Nashville. Both had suffered fatal gunshot wounds.
“During the course of the investigation, authorities developed information that Payton Wayne Nations was the individual responsible for shooting the victims,” the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) stated.
Nations was subsequently charged with two counts of first-degree murder.
How the Suspect Was Caught
The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office received a tip around 12:19 p.m. Sunday from a fisherman who reported seeing a man at a rural boat ramp in Center Hill Lake attempting to push a car into the water. The suspect fled on foot after pushing the vehicle into the lake.
Authorities launched a multi-agency search, issuing reverse 911 alerts and gathering surveillance footage to track Nations’ movements.
At approximately 5:30 p.m. Sunday, a Silver Point resident recognized Nations near his home and called 911.
“My daughter looks out the window and she says, ‘Dad, that guy that the cops are looking for — she called him the shooter — is outside,'” said Daniel Whitehead, describing the tense moment.
More than 20 law enforcement vehicles responded, and Troopers with the Tennessee Highway Patrol along with Putnam County deputies took Nations into custody without incident. He is currently held at Overton County Jail on $40 million bond.
Law Enforcement Response
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) assisted the Overton County Sheriff’s Office with the murder investigation. Authorities have not released a motive for the killings.
Officials have urged local residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity, emphasizing the need to stay cautious during ongoing investigations.
Community Reaction
The incident has left the Rickman and Silver Point communities shaken, as neighbors recounted the shock of recognizing the suspect in person.
“Just thinking about something like that, that could happen — it’s pretty terrifying,” Whitehead told reporters.
Conclusion
With Payton Wayne Nations now in custody, authorities continue to investigate the murders of Christina and Thomas Hawkins. Residents are encouraged to follow official updates and maintain personal safety precautions.
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