Tyshawn Benjamin, a York County Sheriff’s Office Reporter, Has Passed Away

York County sheriff’s deputies shot and wounded a 25-year-old who crashed his stolen vehicle into two patrol cars during a pursuit. This ended up at CVS parking lot on Cherry Road in Rock Hill and CVS staff shot the suspect as they brought down his stolen car.

Beginning with a report of stolen vehicle in Baxter Village area of Fort Mill, deputy Korey Wedow opened fire at Tyshawn Malik Benjamin who died at scene.

Early Life and Education

Tyshawn Benjamin was born and raised in Boston. At 15 he launched his own newspaper. Later, he went on to earn both a B.Music in Jazz Studies and Performance from William Paterson University and an M.Music in Composition from Wesleyan University before graduating Columbia University with courses led by Fred Lerdahl, Anthony Braxton, and George Lewis in composition studies.

His work often blurs the boundaries between composition and improvisation, drawing inspiration from diverse streams of black American music. He has performed nationally and internationally with his own ensembles as well as artists like Muhal Richard Abrams, Steve Coleman, and Wadada Leo Smith; was honored as both a Van Lier Fellow and Robert Rauschenberg Foundation Impact Award recipient; has released twelve recordings as both composer, drummer, and multi-instrumentalist;

Professional Career

Tyshawn is passionate about videography and music production in addition to being a reporter, having participated in multiple freelance videography projects which won several awards for him. Additionally, he has covered an array of news events during his career which resulted in two Emmy nominations.

The chase traveled from Fort Mill into Rock Hill, where Benjamin was seen driving his Hyundai into a patrol vehicle in a CVS parking lot before slamming into its back with his Hyundai. Two minutes later, officers cornered him in another drug store parking lot before he put his car briefly into reverse before squealing his tires to crash through its door, said York County Sheriff Jerry Tolson.

Police fatally shot a 25-year-old man. The State Law Enforcement Division is conducting an investigation of this officer-involved shooting.

Personal Life

His family was close by and he enjoyed their company and attention. For 45 years he was an active member of St. Paulus Lutheran Church where he also served on their board; during World War II he served in the 31st Infantry as a Tec 4 Sergeant.

Korey Wedow of York County’s Sheriff’s Office fired on him during a high-speed pursuit through rush hour traffic, according to sheriff’s spokesman Mark Tolson. As per regulations of his employment contract with York County, Wedow was placed on administrative leave pending investigation from State Law Enforcement Division.

After receiving reports that Benjamin’s car had been reported stolen, deputies began the chase through Fort Mill parking lots. Deputies attempted to corner him at first before he took off driving along grass verges and shoulder areas at speeds reaching up to 90 miles per hour, according to Tolson.