On the evening of March 1, 2017, at approximately 8:59 p.m., Mark Warner, a 54-year-old Black male, was involved in a verbal altercation with Kedarien Bennett, a 25-year-old Black male, in the 1800 block of Leath Street in Dallas, Texas. A witness, acquainted with both individuals, attempted to de-escalate the situation. However, the confrontation intensified, leading Bennett to draw a firearm and shoot Warner multiple times. Warner, who was unarmed, was transported to Parkland Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. The witness sustained a gunshot wound to the leg during the incident and was treated at the scene before being taken to Dallas Police Homicide for further questioning. There, the witness positively identified Bennett from a photograph. An arrest warrant was subsequently issued for Kedarien Bennett.
The following day, March 2, 2017, at approximately 11:30 a.m., members of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team , in collaboration with Southwest patrol officers, apprehended Bennett in the 2000 block of Bickers Street without incident. He was charged with murder and booked into Lew Sterrett Jail, with bail set at $500,000.
Mark Howard Warner was born on March 1, 1963, in Dallas, Texas, as the youngest of thirteen children to Bishop Spellman Warner and Margaret Warner. He graduated from L.G. Pinkston High School in 1981 and later became a self-employed carpenter and handyman. He was known for his artistic talents and warm smile. Warner was a father to five daughters: Candra, Marquita, Markiesha, Darion, and Marissa. He also had numerous grandchildren and siblings who cherished his memory.
The swift arrest of Kedarien Bennett brought a measure of closure to Warner's family and the community. The Dallas Police Department's prompt action, aided by witness cooperation and the efforts of the U.S. Marshals FAST Team, ensured that the suspect was apprehended within a day of the incident. This case underscores the importance of community involvement and efficient law enforcement collaboration in addressing violent crimes.
