Rodeo man charged with murder outside Pittsburg corner store, facing life without parole

The 23-year-old victim was killed outside of La Aurora Market in Pittsburg on July 4.

PITTSBURG — A Rodeo man has been arrested and charged with murder in connection with a July 4 shooting outside a local corner store, court records show.

Rohney Stewart, 27, was arrested July 12 and charged with murdering Markel Benson Bragg, 23, during a robbery outside the La Aurora Market in Pittsburg. The charge carries a special circumstance enhancement, meaning Stewart is eligible for a sentence of life without parole if he’s convicted.

Prosecutors allege that Stewart attempted to rob Bragg outside of the store a little before midnight on July 4. Bragg resisted the robbery and Stewart allegedly shot him multiple times. The crime was captured on surveillance cameras later obtained by police.

Stewart was arrested at a residence on Dempsey Way in Rodeo, court records show. Police also arrested his 20-year-old brother in connection with a pending felony case over a 2022 nonfatal shooting.

Stewart’s bail has been set at $1 million and he is due in court on Thursday for an arraignment, records show.