A Las Vegas courthouse was thrown into disarray as two families engaged in a heated altercation following a court hearing for a man accused of fatally shooting his girlfriend and waiting nine hours before notifying the police.
The family of Renise Wolfe attended the felony arraignment of Markeem Benson at the North Las Vegas Justice Court, where they came face-to-face with Benson’s supporters.
Benson is facing charges of Open Murder and Possession of a Firearm as a felon in connection with the killing of Wolfe over the past weekend, as per court records.
Following the hearing, a confrontation erupted in the courthouse lobby between Robert Wolfe, Wolfe’s father and a retired police officer, and a man identified as Benson’s brother, as reported by KLAS.
Tracy Coleman, Wolfe’s mother, stated that Benson’s brother had been provoking her family.
Robert Wolfe was escorted to his car by court marshals, while a second argument ensued between the two families outside the courthouse, although it did not turn physical.
No charges have been filed against Robert Wolfe.
Renise Wolfe and Benson had been dating for only five months when the tragic shooting occurred inside an apartment.
The couple had attended a family holiday party on Dec. 21 where they initially appeared normal but got into an argument after a woman known to Benson arrived, according to reports.
Benson, described as “very possessive,” had a history of engaging in fights, as per a police report seen by KSNV.
Following the party, Benson and Wolfe went to an apartment where an altercation broke out between them.
The report indicated that Benson, a 33-year-old tattoo artist, went after his girlfriend with a gun, and during the struggle, the gun discharged, as told to the police by Benson’s father.
On Dec. 22, Benson contacted his family, admitting to doing something bad.
Benson’s father contacted the police at 10:16 am, informing them that his son confessed to killing someone and had fallen asleep afterward.
“Markeem said he fell asleep after the shooting, and police were not notified for almost nine hours after the shooting,” the report mentioned.
Detectives discovered that Wolfe had been shot four times in the back of her head, with the shots suggesting that Benson had aimed downward at his victim.
“This means Markeem would have been standing over the top of Renise as he fired that round,” the report stated.
Wolfe’s mother claimed that her daughter was shot while lying defenseless on the ground.
“He shot her while she was laying on the ground in a fetal position, behind the ear, what does that tell you,” a tearful Coleman expressed to KLAS.
Benson, who was apprehended outside a nearby restaurant, was denied bail on Thursday, with the judge noting that he was on probation at the time of his arrest.
Benson’s criminal record includes Home Invasion and Attempted Robbery, both felonies, according to court records.
He is currently held at the North Las Vegas Community Correctional Center and is set to appear in court again on Jan. 30, 2025.
