Murder Suspect Accused Of Ambushing Detention Officer

SMITHFIELD — A teenage murder suspect who has been in custody for more than a year is now facing a new felony charge after violently attacking a detention officer at the Johnston County Detention Center.

Tray’vian Brown, 18, was already being held without bond in connection with a January 2025 killing when he allegedly ambushed the officer who was performing a routine check of inmates on Jan. 19, 2026.

Authorities say Brown ambushed the officer and began punched him approximately 12 times in the face before the officer fell to the floor, where Brown continued to kick him. Two nearby inmates intervened to assist the officer, and detention staff arrived moments later to regain control. The officer was transported to the hospital for treatment.

Brown is now charged with assault on a detention employee causing serious injury in addition to his pending murder and robbery charges.

The 2025 case stems from the fatal shooting of Emmanuel Kwame Gbedee, a 57-year-old Durham man and Uber driver. Gbedee was found shot in the backseat of his own car on Holly Grove Road in the Meadow community outside of Benson after picking up Brown, who had no known prior connection to the victim. Brown was arrested shortly after the killing and charged with first-degree murder and robbery with a dangerous weapon.