Authorities were searching a Memphis home for murder suspect Deario Wilkerson when he crashed through the ceiling from the attic where he was hiding.
United States Federal Police Service
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United States Federal Police Service
Authorities had a stroke of luck when the murder suspect they had been chasing for months fell, so to speak, into their laps — through the ceiling of the building where he was hiding.
The U.S. Marshals Service said agents arrested Deario Wilkerson, 20, on Monday, months after a warrant for his arrest — on charges of first-degree murder and reckless endangerment — was issued in connection with a deadly shooting in Memphis, Tenn.
A task force investigating his whereabouts tracked him to a residence in Memphis, the agency said. in one release. It didn’t take long for law enforcement officers to search once inside.
“Wilkerson attempted to hide in the attic as USMS searched the residence; however, he fell through the ceiling,” the report said.
Officials said Wilkerson was not injured in the fall and was taken into custody without further incident.
His dramatic arrest brings to a close a saga that began in early April with a shooting that left one man dead and a woman injured. Wilkerson was one of three people eventually arrested in connection with the incident, according to the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office.
Memphis police were responding to a call of a disturbance near an apartment complex on April 2 when they heard multiple gunshots, the DA said. The office said in May.
“The victim, Troy Cunningham, was found on the sidewalk near Peres and Merton streets, fatally shot in the back of the head,” the report added.
Gunfire also hit a passing car with two female passengers, one of whom was shot in the shoulder. She was taken to hospital in non-critical condition, WREG reported at that time.
The article cited surveillance video that allegedly shows Wilkerson lunging at Cunningham, starting the fight.
The article said two other suspects shot the victim as he ran away, and Wilkerson could then be seen on camera “running up to the victim and picking up something on the ground next to him before leaving the scene.”
The other suspects were arrested in May, the same month Wilkerson’s arrest warrant was issued. It just took a little longer to execute.
NPR has reached out to the Memphis Police Department and the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office for comment.
