Shootout survivor charged with second-degree murder

ASHEBORO — The Asheboro Police Department today identified the second shooter in a fatal shootout in the parking lot in front of Marshall’s on Aug. 30, and following a grand jury indictment on Sept. 8, have arrested Branson Russell of Denton on the charge of second degree murder in the death of Alexander Benitez-Hernandez, 23.

The release ends a week-long period of silence by APD, filled in by anything but that in a contentious social media battle of its own. 
Jay Hanson, APD Assistant Chief of Police, explained why that was necessary.

“In order to maintain the integrity of the investigation, a detailed explanation could not be provided to the public in the immediate aftermath of this incident,” he said in the Sept. 9 release. “Detectives, however, remained in contact with the family of Mr. Benitez-Hernandez, keeping them informed of the progress of the investigation.

“In order to maintain the integrity of the investigation, a detailed explanation could not be provided to the public in the immediate aftermath of this incident. Detectives, however, remained in contact with the family of Mr. Benitez-Hernandez, keeping them informed of the progress of the investigation. 

“Understandably, this case has attracted much attention. From the moment this investigation began, the goal was to conduct a proper and thorough investigation. Such investigations often take a considerable amount of time. In this incident, however, the investigation was concluded and presented to a Grand Jury within a week and a half.”

Here is APD’s account of the case, from the beginning through today, including a change in where the victim was shot:

On Aug. 30, 2025, at approximately 7:06 p.m., the Asheboro Police Department responded to reports of shots fired in the parking lot at 1418 E. Dixie Dr. The information received from 911 callers indicated that one person was shot on scene and another person involved had fled the scene in a red Ford F-250. 

Patrol officers responded to the scene and located Alexander Benitez-Hernandez, 23 years old, suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper chest area. Officers rendered aid until medical personnel arrived. Unfortunately, Benitez-Hernandez was pronounced deceased on scene. 

Other officers were able to locate a red Ford F-250 traveling at a high rate of speed on E. Salisbury St. a short time after the shooting was reported. Officers conducted a traffic stop on this vehicle at 401 E Salisbury St. 

The driver had suffered a gunshot wound to the leg and was identified as being involved in the shooting. Officers rendered aid and the driver was transported to an out-of-county medical facility for further treatment. His condition was listed as stable at the time. 

A preliminary investigation indicated that Benitez-Hernandez and the other man were involved in a verbal altercation inside a business, which escalated when both parties reached the parking lot. During this altercation, both subjects brandished firearms and shot each other. 

As a result of this investigation, it was determined that both individuals, Alexander Benitez-Hernandez and Branson Russell, engaged in a verbal altercation inside the business of Marshalls. Mr. Russell then waited outside for Mr. Benitez-Hernandez and another confrontation ensued. Both subjects presented handguns. Mr. Benitez-Hernandez fired his weapon, striking Mr. Russell in the lower leg. 

Mr. Benitez-Hernandez then fled on foot toward his vehicle. Mr. Russell entered his own vehicle and retrieved a .30-30 rifle as he drove toward Mr. Benitez-Hernandez’s vehicle. Upon approaching Mr. Benitez-Hernandez, Mr. Russell fired one shot from the rifle, striking him in the back. (NOTE: Early information released stated that he was struck in the chest. This information was inaccurate and was corrected during the continued investigation.)

On Sept. 8, 2025, a grand jury was convened in Randolph County. The facts of the case were presented to the jury, which returned a True Bill of Indictment against Mr. Russell for the offense of second degree murder. 

Mr. Russell was taken into custody at approximately 3 p.m. on Sept. 9, 2025, and served with the indictment. He was jailed with no bond pending his first court appearance on Sept. 10, 2025.