Lexington man confesses to fatal shooting near Tates Creek schools
A man arrested for murder near Tates Creek High School told police he shot a man and threw the gun in a bush before running from the scene.
Erick Morgan, 36, was arrested and charged with murder, tampering with physical evidence and being a felon in possession of a firearm after a shooting on Centre Parkway Nov. 7.
Around 2:50 p.m. that day, officers were dispatched to the area for reports of a shooting where they found Derrico Wallace Jr., 36, with a gunshot wound. He died shortly after at the hospital.
Morgan went to the residence and pulled out a black Glock, firing one shot, according to Lexington Police Department Detective Corey Sutton, who testified Tuesday during a preliminary hearing. Morgan and Wallace were acquaintances, but Morgan may have thought Wallace was intimate with his girlfriend, based on interviews with police, Sutton said.
Wallace fled the residence and ran towards the street, and Morgan followed him and continued to fire, Sutton testified. Wallace did not have a gun.
During the gunfire, a car parked on the street with a five-year-old and a woman inside was shot. Morgan was charged two counts of wanton endangerment as a result.
Morgan then attempted to flee the scene in his car, but crashed near the end of the road. He then fled the scene on foot, Sutton testified.
At least two residential surveillance cameras and eyewitnesses confirmed Morgan as the shooter, Sutton said. They located him within an hour of the shooting and interviewed him at police headquarters.
During the interview, Morgan verbally waived his rights and spoke with officers. He told them he committed the shooting, and then hid the gun in a bush near the scene, which police later recovered.
Sutton said Morgan was very upset during the interview, rocking back and forth.
District Judge Denotra Gunther Spruill found probable cause to send Morgan’s charges to a grand jury, who will determine if formal charges will be brought against Morgan in circuit court.
This story was originally published November 17, 2025 at 1:29 PM.
