The U.S. Marshals Service apprehended a man wanted in connection with a Tennessee murder after he fell through the ceiling of his hiding place. Deario Wilkerson, 20, was apprehended dramatically on Monday at a Memphis home a block away from where he is accused of participating in the fatal shooting of Troy Cunningham, 27, on April 2 following a confrontation, according to a U.S. Marshals Service news release.
Wilkerson had been hiding in the attic of a house on the 1400 block of North Merton Street. Authorities had tracked him down and were looking for him when he smashed through the drywall ceiling over the kitchen. He was unharmed and was immediately apprehended by a task group consisting of deputy marshals, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, and Memphis Police Department Fugitive Apprehension squads.
Cunningham was found on a sidewalk near Peres and Merton Street in North Memphis on April 2 with a fatal gunshot wound to the back of his head, according to a news release from the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office.
It incident supposedly started when three men took Cunningham’s weapon and began shooting at him. Police received a complaint about a disturbance nearby that evening, and while investigating, officers heard several gunshots, according to officials. A bullet struck a passing car, injuring a woman in the vehicle in the shoulder, according to authorities. She was admitted to the hospital after suffering non-life-threatening injuries.
The following month, two individuals were apprehended, including one who allegedly stole Cunningham’s gun and shot at him as he fled. A witness identified a second individual as the second shooter who opened fire on Cunningham as he attempted to flee for his life. Prosecutors said they issued a warrant for Wilkerson’s arrest on May 9 for first-degree murder and reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon.
The confrontation was captured on video, with one assailant pointing a gun at Cunningham, who raised his hands while Wilkerson lunged at him, according to local CBS station WREG.