Joshua Zimmerman, man linked to murder of 23-year-old Houston woman, escapes from Mississippi courthouse, authorities say

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — A man accused of murdering a Houston woman in 2023 walked through the doors of a Mississippi courthouse Friday and is now on the run, authorities say.

Joshua Zimmerman, 30, is charged with the murder of Keyanna Mercer, 23, at the Red Carpet Inn at 6868 Hornwood on September 2, 2023.

He was captured on September 29, 2023, by officers with the Southaven Police Department in Mississippi on separate criminal charges, including attempted murder, armed robbery, felon in possession of a firearm, and a charge related to car theft.

Houston police said he would ultimately be extradited to Harris County.

On Friday, De Soto County Prosecutor Matthew Barton said Zimmerman was being brought to the courthouse for a hearing with several other inmates.

As Zimmerman and the other inmates walked up the stairs toward the courtroom, dressed in prison uniforms and shackled at the ankles and wrists, Zimmerman was able to leave the single file line without anyone noticing. Barton said Zimmerman walked through an unlocked door into another hallway, where he completely changed his clothes and removed his chains.

Surveillance video captured parts of Zimmerman’s escape. He is seen leaving the courthouse wearing khaki pants, a white shirt and a khaki helmet.

Barton said he was not given an explanation for how this could have happened. He said Zimmerman was a career criminal who should be arrested immediately.

U.S. Marshals are involved in the search for Zimmerman, who has ties to Memphis and Connecticut.

In the Houston case, people living in neighboring rooms and motel employees reported to police that there had been violent fights between Zimmerman and Mercer before his death. Mercer was found dead with a gunshot wound to the head in the doorway of the room. Charging documents say Zimmerman’s belongings had been abandoned, but he was missing.

Charging documents specifically stated that Connecticut law enforcement was searching for Mercer’s whereabouts because she was believed to be traveling with a known fugitive who was using multiple false identities.

Zimmerman was convicted in Connecticut in 2018 of criminal possession of a firearm.

A $10,000 reward is being offered for his capture. Those with information are asked to call 1-800-336-0102.

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