Markel Benson Bragg was a 23-year-old Black man, a father and a Tesla employee, remembered by family as kind, brave, loving, lighthearted and optimistic. He was shot and killed in Pittsburg, California, on the night of July 4, 2024, a little before midnight while standing outside the La Aurora Market on West 10th Street.

Prosecutors say a man attempted to rob Markel and that he was shot multiple times after resisting; the entire incident was recorded on surveillance video and that footage led police to identify a suspect. Officers arrested 27-year-old Rohney Stewart of Rodeo on July 12. Prosecutors charged Stewart with murder and allege a special circumstance that the killing occurred during a robbery, making him eligible for life without parole if convicted. Markel’s mother, Sharnita Benson, launched a GoFundMe to help with funeral expenses.

If anyone witnessed the shooting near La Aurora Market on July 4 or has information about what happened, please share tips with Pittsburg police.