Murder suspect crashes through ceiling while hiding from US Marshals after escaping authorities for months

A MURDER suspect’s attempt at evading authorities went horribly awry after he crashed through the ceiling of a Memphis home.

Deario Wilkerson, 20, was taken into custody on August 26 for his alleged involvement in the murder of Troy Cunningham, 27, earlier this year.

AP

On Monday, the US Marshals Two Rivers Violent Fugitive Task Force (TRVFTF) was able to track down Wilkerson at a relative’s home on North Merton Street in Memphis , Tennessee .

Wilkerson was inside a residence on the same street where he allegedly shot and killed Cunningham on April 2.

Along with members of the Memphis Police Department and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Marshals surrounded the home.

Wilkerson, hoping to evade officers, fled into the home’s attic space.

However, Wilkerson’s attempts to hide from law enforcement took a turn when the attic’s floor gave way underneath him, causing him to crash through the ceiling.

Wilkerson, who was not injured from the fall, was quickly apprehended by law enforcement officers and taken into custody.

Wilkerson has been wanted by police since May 9, when officers issued a warrant for his arrest.

He was being charged with first-degree murder and reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon.

Wilkerson is currently being held on a $6,065,000 bond at the Shelby County Jail.

His next scheduled court hearing is on August 29 at 9:00 am CT.

MEMPHIS MAYHEM

On April 2, shortly after 5:30 pm, police officers responded to a call about a fight happening in Hollywood, a neighborhood on the north side of Memphis.

When they arrived on the scene, they found a male victim, dead, at the intersection of Peres Avenue and Merton Street.

The deceased victim was later identified as Cunningham.

A witness told police that while it’s unclear how the altercation began, the trio were reportedly arguing with Cunningham about a gun he had supposedly taken from one of them.

Surveillance footage from the scene of the crime shows one of the men pointing a gun at Cunningham as he places his hands in the air.

One of the male suspects is then seen punching Cunningham, who fell to the ground.

A man, believed to be Wilkerson, is shown running to Cunningham’s side and grabbing something from him.

Cunningham is then seen getting up off the ground, before attempting to run away from the trio.

Two of the men then allegedly fired shots at Cunningham as he ran away, striking him in the back of the head.

As a result of the gunfire, several bullets also struck a passing car carrying two women.

One woman was unharmed, while the other, the driver of the vehicle, was brought to a local hospital after a bullet pierced her shoulder.

Where Are They Now?

Police have now arrested all three suspects they believe were involved in Troy Cunningham's murder.

All three suspects are being held at the Shelby County Jail in Memphis, Tennessee.

Jarius Hibbler, 19, was arrested on April 16, 2024.

• Bond: $3,005,000
• Next Court Date: August 30, 2024, at 9:00 am CT

TaMarius Barron, 19, was arrested on May 6, 2024.

• Bond: $9,000,000
• Next Court Date: August 29, 2024, at 9:00 am CT

Deario Wilkerson, 20, was arrested on August 26, 2024 .

• Bond: $6,065,000
• Next Court Date: August 29, 2024, at 9:00 am CT

TRIPLE THREAT

Wilkerson isn’t the only suspect involved in Cunningham’s murder.

Authorities allege that Wilkerson, along with two other suspects, stole Cunningham’s gun and began shooting at him.

On April 16, police arrested Jarius Hibbler, 19, who they believe to be one of the three male suspects responsible for Cunningham’s death.

Hibbler was charged with first-degree murder, reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon, evading arrest, theft of property, and possession of a prohibited weapon, according to CBS affiliate WREG .

On May 6, law enforcement officials arrested the second suspect in the shooting, 19-year-old TaMarius Barron.

Barron was charged with two counts of first-degree murder and reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon.

It took officers nearly five months, however, before they were able to track down Wilkerson at a relative’s home.

The case, which began immediately after Cunningham’s murder, was eventually adopted by the US Marshals TRVFTF in Memphis.

The “multi-agency task force” is composed of Deputy U.S. Marshals, Sheriff’s Deputies from Shelby, Fayette, and Tipton County, along with Memphis and Jackson Police Officers.

The force also includes Tennessee Department of Correction Special Agents and Tennessee Highway Patrol Officers.

Since 2021, the US Marshals TRVFTF “has captured over 2,600 violent fugitives and sexual predators,” as reported by the US Department of Justice .