Manhunt for Murder Suspect Ends in Dramatic Ceiling Collapse
In a surprising turn of events, a manhunt for a murder suspect came to a dramatic conclusion in Memphis when the suspect accidentally fell through the ceiling of the house where he was hiding. Deario Wilkerson, 20, had been wanted in connection with a shooting that resulted in the death of a city man in early April. The US Marshals had been tracking Wilkerson for months, and their efforts finally paid off when they located him in a home on North Merton Street.
The Dramatic Capture
On the day of the arrest, law enforcement surrounded the house where Wilkerson was hiding, preparing to search the premises. Unbeknownst to them, Wilkerson had retreated to the attic in an attempt to evade capture. As the search of the house commenced, Wilkerson’s luck took a turn for the worse as he fell through the ceiling and landed on the floor, right in the midst of the law enforcement officers.
The scene was chaotic, with a gaping hole in the drywall where Wilkerson had crashed through. Despite the dramatic entrance, Wilkerson emerged unscathed from the fall, allowing authorities to apprehend him without further incident. The arrest brought an end to a lengthy manhunt that began with an arrest warrant issued by Tennessee courts in May.
The Murder Investigation
The events leading up to Wilkerson’s capture were sparked by a shooting that resulted in the death of a man named Troy Cunningham on April 2. Cunningham’s body was discovered near the Cavalier Court Apartments in North Memphis after police responded to a disturbance call. The grim scene revealed Cunningham lying on the sidewalk with a fatal gunshot wound to the back of his head.
Two individuals had already been arrested in connection with Cunningham’s murder, leaving Wilkerson as the sole suspect still at large. The manhunt intensified as authorities pursued leads that eventually led them to the house on North Merton Street where Wilkerson was hiding. The arrest marked a significant breakthrough in the case, bringing closure to the victim’s family and the community.
Additional Charges and Legal Proceedings
In addition to the murder charge, Wilkerson faced a laundry list of other offenses including reckless endangerment, tampering with evidence, reckless driving, vehicle burglary, gun theft, and evading arrest. These charges painted a picture of a dangerous individual with a penchant for criminal activities.
Following his arrest, Wilkerson was held at the Shelby County Jail on a staggering $6 million bail, reflecting the gravity of the charges against him. As he awaited his court appearance, the community braced for the legal proceedings that would determine his fate and bring justice for the victim and his loved ones.
The case of Deario Wilkerson serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers that lurk in our communities and the tireless efforts of law enforcement to ensure that justice is served. The dramatic capture of Wilkerson, culminating in his fall through the ceiling, will go down in history as a moment of both chaos and triumph in the pursuit of justice.