Crime
Branson Russell Arrested in Fatal Shooting of Alexander Benitez-Hernandez Outside Asheboro Marshalls
ASHEBORO, N.C. — A man has been arrested in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred last month in Asheboro, according to a statement from the Asheboro Police Department.
On Friday, August 30, at approximately 7:06 p.m., officers responded to reports of gunfire in the parking lot of Marshall’s on East Dixie Drive.
Upon arrival, officers located 23-year-old Alexander Benitez-Hernandez, who had sustained a gunshot wound. Despite life-saving efforts at the scene, he was pronounced dead.
During the initial investigation, witnesses informed police that another individual involved in the altercation, later identified as Branson Russell, had fled the scene in a red Ford F-250.
The vehicle was located a short time later on East Salisbury Street, where officers conducted a traffic stop. Russell was found inside with a gunshot wound to the leg and was transported to a hospital for treatment.
Detectives determined the incident stemmed from an argument between Benitez-Hernandez and Russell inside a business prior to the shooting.
According to investigators, after the argument escalated, Russell waited outside in the parking lot. Benitez-Hernandez allegedly shot Russell in the lower leg before attempting to flee toward his vehicle.
At that point, Russell retrieved a .30-30 rifle from his truck and fired one round, striking Benitez-Hernandez in the back and fatally wounding him.
On Monday, September 2, a Randolph County grand jury reviewed the case and returned a true bill of indictment against Russell for second-degree murder.
Russell was formally taken into custody on Tuesday around 3 p.m.
He has been booked into the Randolph County Jail under no bond.
The case remains under active investigation by the Asheboro Police Department.
Crime
Angela Johnson and Her Son DeAngelo Johnson Killed After Shooting Inside Home in Chicago, Mother’s Boyfriend in Custody
CHICAGO — A 47-year-old mother and her 27-year-old son were fatally shot inside a residence in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood on the West Side late Thursday night, September 24, 2026, according to Chicago police.
The victims were identified as Angela Johnson, 47, and DeAngelo Johnson, 27. Police said a suspect, identified as Angela Johnson’s boyfriend, was taken into custody following the shooting.
The deadly shooting happened in the 800 block of North Parkside Avenue at approximately 10:43 p.m. Witnesses reported hearing gunshots coming from the basement of the residence and called 911.
When Chicago police officers arrived, they found the two victims suffering from gunshot wounds.
Angela Johnson was found in the basement with a gunshot wound to her chest. Police-radio traffic indicated she had been shot on the right side of her chest.
DeAngelo Johnson was found on the first floor with multiple gunshot wounds. Radio traffic indicated that he had suffered two gunshot wounds to his back.
Both victims were initially unresponsive and in critical condition. Emergency personnel performed CPR on DeAngelo Johnson before both victims were transported to Mount Sinai Hospital, where they were pronounced dead.
According to police-radio traffic, one victim was pronounced dead at approximately 11:18 p.m., while the male victim was pronounced dead around 11:21 p.m.
Investigators found extensive evidence inside the residence, including approximately 23 shell casings in a basement bedroom. Additional shell casings were reportedly recovered in other areas of the basement, including the stairway, main room and bedroom.
Officers initially recovered a firearm and shell casings from the basement bedroom. Police later located a second firearm inside the home, bringing the total number of recovered firearms to two.
Authorities have not publicly stated who owned the firearms or confirmed which weapon, if either, was used in the fatal shooting.
Police also reported that DeAngelo Johnson was wearing an empty holster when officers found him on the first floor. That discovery prompted an officer-safety alert as officers searched the residence for the missing firearm.
Chicago police said the shooting appeared to be domestic-related and identified the alleged offender as the mother’s boyfriend.
Radio traffic indicated that a person had been detained by approximately 11:26 p.m. The official police report later confirmed that the known offender was taken into custody.
Two witnesses were reportedly available to identify the alleged offender, and officers conducted a show-up identification procedure near the scene.
Police have not released additional information about potential charges against the suspect.
The investigation into the Chicago Austin neighborhood double shooting remains ongoing. Detectives are continuing to examine the circumstances that led to the shooting, the relationship between the people involved and the role of the two recovered firearms.
The deaths of Angela Johnson and DeAngelo Johnson are being investigated as a double homicide.