Tennessee Man Hid in Ex-Girlfriend’s Closet With Loaded AR-Style Rifle, Popped Out While She Slept Beside New Boyfriend and 5-Year-Old
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE — A 26-year-old Memphis man is accused of hiding in his ex-girlfriend’s bedroom closet armed with an AR-style rifle, waiting until she fell asleep beside her new boyfriend and 5-year-old child before bursting out and threatening them at gunpoint, according to police.
Authorities say Corwyn Winfield was arrested on October 28 and faces multiple felony charges, including aggravated assault, aggravated child abuse or neglect, reckless endangerment, and domestic assault, following the terrifying home invasion at the Emerald Square Townhomes in the city’s Hickory Hill neighborhood.
Court documents allege Winfield, who is also the father of the woman’s children, snuck into the townhouse undetected while six people were inside — three adults and three children.
Police: Man Hid in Closet, Waited Until Family Slept
According to the arrest affidavit, the woman and her boyfriend were sleeping upstairs when Winfield suddenly emerged from the bedroom closet, pointing a loaded black rifle at them and threatening to kill them if they moved.
“[Winfield] pointed the gun at [the couple], and he made threats to kill them while ordering them not to move,” police wrote in the report.
The woman screamed for help as her boyfriend tried to escape through the bedroom door, only for Winfield to block his path. A violent struggle broke out, and the boyfriend managed to knock the rifle out of Winfield’s hands, but Winfield grabbed it again and fled the scene.
Shots Fired Into Neighboring Apartment
Police say several rounds were fired during the confrontation — one of which struck a nearby townhouse where a 10-month-old baby, a 6-year-old, and two 17-year-olds were asleep.
Another bullet reportedly hit Winfield himself, wounding his arm. Officers later found him at a local hospital, where he was treated and then taken into custody.
The ex-girlfriend later identified Winfield as the intruder, telling investigators he had no permission to enter her home and that he had been threatening her in the weeks leading up to the attack.
Suspect Has Prior Domestic Violence Arrests
Court records reveal that Winfield has a history of domestic violence arrests involving the same woman. Police said his latest actions placed not only his ex and her partner in danger, but also the three young children sleeping in the home.
He is now charged with:
- Aggravated domestic assault
- Aggravated child abuse or neglect
- Reckless endangerment with a firearm
- Employing a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony
- Aggravated assault and domestic assault
Authorities said Winfield is being held on a $400,000 bond at the Shelby County Jail. His preliminary hearing is set for November 12.
Community Shocked by the Attack
Neighbors in the quiet apartment complex told police they were awakened by gunfire and screaming, with one resident saying it was “terrifying” knowing bullets entered a nearby child’s bedroom.
“It’s crazy that something like that could happen with little kids inside,” one resident told local news. “We’re just thankful nobody else got hurt.”
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