For the past three months, Memphis law enforcement were trying to track down a shooting suspect. The manhunt finally came to a close this week when the suspect fell right in the hands of police officials. Literally, fell. Let us explain.
Back on April 2, the U.S. Marshals Two Rivers Violent Fugitive Task Force investigated the death of Troy Cunningham who was found shot to death in his home on North Merton Street in downtown Memphis, per NBC News. The Shelby County District’s Attorney’s Office said the suspect stole Cunningham’s firearm and shot him in the back of the head as he tried to flee.
The following month, officials identified 20-year-old Deario Wilkerson as one of the three potential suspects, according to the U.S. Marshals. They issued an arrest warrant for first-degree murder and reckless endangerment by a deadly weapon.
Though, it wasn’t until Monday the authorities were able to bring an end to weeks-long manhunt to serve the warrant, FOX 13 Memphis reports. Officials said they tracked down Wilkerson to a home on the same street where the shooting had taken place.
Deputy U.S. Marshals, officers from the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and cops from the Memphis Police Department Fugitive Apprehension Team all pulled up to the house. Authorities said upon surrounding the home, Wilkerson was hiding in the attic.
Now, imagine this scene: officers are stealthily searching about the home, making sharp turns around every corner, guns drawn, yelling out orders demanding the occupants of the home to present themselves and them BLAM! A loud crash is heard from the kitchen.
That, my friends, was the sound of a 150-pound young Black man falling through the ceiling... that man being Wilkerson. Seriously. The U.S. Marshals said Wilkerson fell straight down from the attic where he hid and right into police custody.
Luckily, they said he was arrested without injury. He was booked in Shelby County Jail Monday and is being held on a bond of over $6 million, according to jail records. His next hearing is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 29. Ouch!