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Tennessee murder suspect who had been on the run for months was found during house search after falling through ceiling

U.S. Marshals Service officials got lucky when a murder suspect fell through the ceiling from an attic where he was hiding.

The U.S. Marshals Service announced in a press release that agents arrested 20-year-old Deario Wilkerson on Monday, August 26, months after a warrant was issued for his arrest in connection with a fatal shooting in Memphis.

Authorities said Wilkerson was involved in the death of Troy Cunningham on April 2.

Wilkerson had managed to evade police arrest since the alleged crime.

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According to the U.S. Marshals Service, Deario Wilkerson fell through the ceiling from an attic where he was hiding. (US Marshals Service)

The task force investigating his whereabouts tracked him down at a home in Memphis, the agency said.

The agents didn't have to search long before Wilkerson literally fell into their hands.

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“Wilkerson attempted to hide in the attic while the USMS searched the house; however, he fell through the ceiling,” the US Marshals Service said.

Authorities said Wilkerson was not injured in the fall and was taken into custody without further incident.

Broken ceiling behind which the suspect was hiding

Officials say Wilkerson was not injured in the fall from the attic. (US Marshals Service)

Wilkerson was the third suspect arrested in connection with Cunningham's death. Jarius Hibbler and Tamarius Barron were arrested in May.

According to a press release from the Shelby County District Attorney's Office, police had just become aware of a disturbance at an apartment complex when they heard a series of gunshots.

When police investigated the shooting, they found Cunningham dead on a sidewalk with a gunshot wound to the head.

Mugshot of Deario Wilkerson

The U.S. Marshals Service said agents arrested 20-year-old Deario Wilkerson on Monday, months after a warrant was issued for his arrest. (The US Marshals Service)

During the incident, prosecutors said, ricochets struck a vehicle carrying two women. One of the women suffered a gunshot wound to the shoulder.

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Fox News Digital has reached out to the Memphis Police Department and the Shelby County District Attorney's Office for comment.