U.S. Marshals, Memphis Police and Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputies Capture Murder Suspect After Lengthy Manhunt

Memphis, TN – U.S. Marshals with assistance from the Memphis Police Department (MPD) and Shelby County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) announce the capture of Randy Darnell Ewing Jr., 28, of Memphis, who was wanted for the deadly shooting of Tomanuel Benson, the brother of Memphis rapper “Blac Youngsta” in August of last year.

On August 18th, 2023, Memphis police responded to a shooting call at the BP gas station on South Parkway East. Officers arrived and found Benson with a gunshot wound. He was pronounced deceased. MPD Detectives developed Ewing as a suspect and warrants for Second Degree Murder, Criminal Attempt Second Degree Murder, and a firearm offense were issued.

On August 31st, the case was adopted by the U.S. Marshals Two Rivers Violent Fugitive Task Force (TRVFTF) in Memphis as a major case and later announced a $5,000 reward for information leading to Ewing’s arrest. Additional warrants were issued for Ewing for Criminal Attempt Second Degree Murder, Violations of the Sex Offender Registry Law, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Theft of a Firearm, and Evading Arrest out of Shelby County.

Last night, U.S. Marshals along with the MPD Fugitive team went to search for Ewing around the Lamar Avenue and Winchester Road area. Investigators spotted Ewing walking along Creighton Avenue and a foot chase ensued. A SCSO K-9 Officer, assigned to the U.S. Marshals TRVFTF, gave multiple warnings to Ewing. Moments later, Ewing was apprehended by the K-9 “Marko” and was found to be armed with a handgun. Ewing was treated at a local hospital and then transported to the Shelby County Jail.

The U.S. Marshals Two Rivers Violent Fugitive Task Force is a multi-agency task force within Western Tennessee. The TRVFTF has offices in Memphis and Jackson, and its membership is primarily composed of Deputy U.S. Marshals, Shelby, Fayette, and Tipton County Sheriff’s Deputies, Memphis and Jackson Police Officers and the Tennessee Department of Correction Special Agents. The primary mission of the Task Force is to arrest violent offenders and sexual predators.