Archive · 10 Nov 2025
Suspect Benji Martin Jr. Identified in WakeMed Shooting Death of Officer Roger Smith
A police officer named Roger Smith was working at a hospital called WakeMed.
On Saturday morning, a man named Benji Martin Jr. shot Officer Smith in the hospital's lobby.
Sadly, Officer Smith passed away from his injuries, even though doctors tried to help him.
Benji Martin Jr. was also shot during the event and is now in custody at the hospital while he recovers.
He has been charged with murder.
Officer Smith was a dedicated public servant who had worked for the hospital's safety team for 14 years.
Police are investigating exactly why this shooting happened.
Suspect Benji Martin Jr., 29, has been identified and charged with murder following a shooting at WakeMed Garner Healthplex.
Officer Roger Smith, 59, a 14-year veteran of WakeMed's public safety team, was fatally shot in the hospital lobby.
The incident occurred on Saturday morning at the WakeMed Garner Healthplex on US-70.
Martin Jr. was also shot during the altercation and is currently in custody under medical supervision.
The State Bureau of Investigation is assisting Garner Police in the investigation into the events leading to the fatal shooting.
- Who
- Benji Martin Jr. (suspect) and Officer Roger Smith (victim)
- What
- A shooting that resulted in the death of Officer Roger Smith and the injury of suspect Benji Martin Jr.
- When
- Saturday morning
- Where
- WakeMed Garner Healthplex lobby in Garner, North Carolina
- Why
- The State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) is assisting in determining the events leading to the shooting.
- Suspect
- Benji Martin Jr., 29
- Victim
- Officer Roger Smith, 59
- Location
- WakeMed Garner Healthplex, Garner, North Carolina
- Date
- Saturday morning
- Charges
- Murder
- Officer's Service
- 14-year veteran of WakeMed public safety, former Knightdale police officer