Absconding Murder Suspect Falls Through The Ceiling Into The Lock-Up

In an almost cinematic turn of events, a murder suspect fleeing from the law was arrested by US Marshals after he fell through a ceiling. In a press statement, the US Marshals Service stated that Deario Wilkerson, who was hiding in an attic, fell through the ceiling while they were trying to catch him on August 26. The 20-year-old fugitive suspect was on an arrest warrant for first-degree murder and reckless endangerment in connection with the deadly shooting that took place in North Memphis in April. Wilkerson was not harmed in the incident and was taken into custody immediately after.

The US Marshals Service shared that they got the information about Wilkerson being spotted in a Memphis residence through Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and Memphis Police Department’s Fugitive Apprehension Teams who had been tracking him since April. The marshalls soon surrounded the house and started searching the house. However, the law enforcement officers didn’t need to search far.

“Wilkerson attempted to hide in the attic as the USMS searched the residence; however, he fell through the ceiling,” the press release read.

As per Shelby County District Attorney’s office, Wilkerson was among the three individuals who were taken into custody. The DA’s office noted in a press statement in May that Memphis police heard many gunshots on April 2 while attending to a disturbance call near an apartment complex. Troy Cunningham, the deceased, was found dead from a bullet wound to the rear of his skull on the sidewalk close to Merton Street.

“The victim, Troy Cunningham, was discovered on the sidewalk near Peres and Merton Street, having sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the back of his head,” added the press release.

Additionally, two female passengers in a passing car were hit by gunfire; one of them sustained a gunshot wound on the shoulder.

While the victim was said to have been fired at by the other two suspects, Wilkerson was captured approaching the victim and grabbing something from the ground close to him before fleeing the scene. The other two criminals were arrested in May, and an arrest warrant was issued against Wilkerson.