Weakley County Sheriff’s Deputy Derrick Bonham was killed in the line of duty early Friday morning, January 30 in what authorities describe as a premeditated ambush following a fabricated emergency call.
According to the criminal affidavit released on February 3, Khristi Dawn Cunningham has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with Deputy Bonham’s death.
At 2:52 a.m. Friday, Cunningham allegedly called 911 to report “shots fired” at the Days Inn located at 800 University Street in Martin. Investigators say Cunningham fired a pistol shot near the hotel’s parking lot while making the call.
Rather than remaining at the scene, Cunningham allegedly drove to the nearby Pocket’s convenience store at 821 University Street, positioning herself where she could observe law enforcement’s response to her false report at the Days Inn. Court documents indicate she continued calling 911 and hanging up during this time.
Law enforcement personnel tracked Cunningham’s location using GPS data from her cell phone, which placed her at or near the Pocket’s parking lot.
Deputy Bonham arrived at the convenience store and parked beside Cunningham’s vehicle.
According to the affidavit, Cunningham was on a call with 911 dispatchers when Deputy Bonham made contact with her. After the call ended, he asked her to exit her vehicle.
Body-worn camera footage from Deputy Bonham captured what happened next.
The affidavit states that Cunningham exited her vehicle, drew a pistol, and immediately shot the deputy. While Deputy Bonham was incapacitated on the ground, Cunningham allegedly shot him three more times.
Cunningham then allegedly fired two additional shots toward Martin Police Department officers who were in the Days Inn parking lot responding to her initial false report.
Deputy Bonham died as a result of his injuries.
Cunningham faces first-degree murder, which is defined as “premeditated and intentional killing”.
The investigation remains ongoing. Cunningham is being held without bond at Obion County Jail.
Read the full affidavit here:
