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Police said Cunningham was working as a security guard at an apartment complex on Memphis' southeast side, when he heard a gunshot at the neighboring Cherry Crest apartments and went to investigate about 2 a.m., according to The Commercial Appeal (http://bit.ly/RJ1NUs ).
Police didn't provide details, but they said when officers arrived, both the 70-year-old Cunningham and a 16-year-old boy were found dead from gunshot wounds.
The teenager has not been identified. Calls to police by The Associated Press were not returned.
When contacted at his home in Washington D.C., Bill Cunningham confirmed his brother was killed.
Byny Garcia, who lives in a unit across the courtyard from where the shooting took place, said Cunningham was well-liked.
"He'd take care of the old people and the Spanish kids," Garcia said. "He was a good person. We don't feel good at this moment."
Born Blake Baker Cunningham Jr., the keyboardist and singer established a national reputation in 1965 as a member of the touring version of Ronnie and the Daytonas, known for the song "G.T.O."
That band eventually became the Hombres, which scored a chart hit with "Let It All Hang Out" in 1967.
After the Hombres' career slowed, Cunningham went to work behind the scenes at the famed Sounds of Memphis Studios. In 1971, he moved to Los Angeles where he served as chief engineer at Independent Recorders, working with the likes of Billy Joel, Elton John, and Lou Rawls.
Cunningham ultimately returned to Memphis a few years later and launched his own studio.
He had been a member of Lewis' band since 1997. His solo album, "Hangin' In," was released in 2003.
Monday, October 15 2012, 12:58 AM CDT
Tennessee News
Man facing extradition for murder claims innocence
June 17, 2013 20:24 GMT
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- A former U.S. Marine facing extradition to the Philippines on double murder charges says he is innocent.
Timothy Kaufman has been in jail since his arrest in April at business near his grandfather's Albany-area home. The 35-year-old from Knoxville, Tenn., is one of three men charged by Philippine authorities with killing a retired Northern Ireland police officer and his girlfriend in 2011.
Authorities claim it was a premeditated killing in an area known for its sometimes-seamy club scene.
In a handwritten letter sent to the media from jail, Kaufman says he would never do something as "heinous and stupid" as killing the couple. He says he left the country after the killings because he feared for his safety.
An extradition hearing is scheduled for June 25 in Albany federal court.
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