Man accused of fatally shooting Blac Youngsta's brother in August arrested in Memphis

Lucas Finton, Memphis Commercial Appeal
·2 min read
The Shelby County Criminal Justice Center, located at 201 Poplar, is seen in Memphis, Tenn., on Tuesday, November 14, 2023.
The Shelby County Criminal Justice Center, located at 201 Poplar, is seen in Memphis, Tenn., on Tuesday, November 14, 2023.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

The man police say shot and killed Memphis rapper Blac Youngsta's brother in August was arrested by U.S. Marshals and Memphis police officers Tuesday night, a press release from the U.S. Marshals Service said.

Randy Darnell Ewing Jr. has been charged with second-degree murder, using a firearm with the intent to commit a felony and two counts of attempted second-degree murder.

According to the press release, Marshals and the Memphis Police Department's fugitive team were searching for Ewing around Lamar Avenue and Winchester Road.

"Investigators spotted Ewing walking along Creighton Avenue and a foot chase ensued," the release read. "A SCSO K-9 officer, assigned to the U.S. Marshals [Two Rivers Violent Fugitive Task Force], 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."

Marko, pictured above, is a K-9 Unit dog with the Shelby County Sheriff's Office. Marko and his handler, who work with the U.S. Marshals Service, were part of the group to arrest Randy Darnell Ewing Jr. Tuesday night.
Marko, pictured above, is a K-9 Unit dog with the Shelby County Sheriff's Office. Marko and his handler, who work with the U.S. Marshals Service, were part of the group to arrest Randy Darnell Ewing Jr. Tuesday night.

Ewing's charges stem from an August 2023 shooting that left rapper Blac Youngsta's brother, Tomanuel Benson, dead.

According to court records, Memphis police responded to a shooting call at a BP gas station at 583 South Parkway East, near South Memphis. When they arrived, they said they found Benson had been shot in the back of the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.

An affidavit said the shooting was spurred by an argument.

"Victim Benson and defendant, later identified as Randy Ewing, were observed arguing prior to the shooting," the affidavit said. "Victim Benson turned away from the defendant Ewing. That is when defendant Ewing drew a handgun and shot victim Benson from behind. Defendant Ewing immediately turned the firearm at the vehicle, occupied by victim F. Abston and victim J. Calhoun, and fired multiple times."

More: Newly-released Tyre Nichols documents show discrepancies between statements, bodycam footage

Abston, the affidavit said, was shot in the back and his left leg.

In the wake of Benson's death, Blac Youngsta posted about the grief he felt over his brother's death on social media.

Benson is not the first of Blac Youngsta's siblings to be shot and killed. Prior interviews indicate that Blac Youngsta's brothers Ronnie B and HeavyChampTD were also shooting victims in 2016 and 2019.

Lucas Finton is a criminal justice reporter with The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at Lucas.Finton@commercialappeal.com, or (901)208-3922, and followed on X, formerly known as Twitter, @LucasFinton.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Man accused of killing Blac Youngsta's brother arrested in Memphis