One in custody after Red Bay robbery

Redmont Pharmacy in Red Bay was the scene of a robbery and hostage situation Tuesday morning.

by Kadin Pounders for the FCT

A robbery with hostage situation developed Tuesday morning in Red Bay, ending with no injuries before 11 a.m.

Redmont Pharmacy, 1102 Golden Road, was the scene of a robbery beginning shortly before 9 a.m. Wednesday, according to Red Bay Chief Janna Jackson, who, along with Captain Eddie Chandler, was first on the scene.

Emily Taylor, a pharmacy technician who was in the building at the time, recounted a portion of the ordeal.

“He came to the door and asked if we were open, and we said yeah,” Taylor said. “He went out and came back in with a gun.”

Jessica Young, pharmacy cashier, said the gunman told them, when he walked back in, “Don’t be stupid; you know what’s happening.”

His only order to them, Taylor said, was “not to call the cops.”

“We were all praying God would let us all get out safe,” Young added.

People began to form prayer groups in the community as well, as the situation continued, Jackson said.

Taylor said Donna Weatherford, pharmacist, talked the gunman into letting the rest of the staff go after 15-20 minutes, so Taylor and her three co-workers were able to safely exit the building, while Weatherford remained a hostage for some time.

The Franklin County SRT unit was activated.

“Our captain did have some phone contact with him a couple of times,” Jackson said. “He was mainly threatening. At one point he was demanding narcotics.”

Officers eventually took the suspect, identified as Christopher Trail, 28, Red Bay, into custody.

“I would like to thank all responding agencies, Franklin County, ABI, Belmont (Miss.) PD, Russellville PD, State Fire Marshal and the Franklin County Special Response Team,” Jackson said. “We are thankful for the prayers and everyone’s safety.”