Benji Martin Jr., Garner, North Carolina man who shot WakeMed Garner Healthplex Officer Roger Smith was undergoing mental health breakdown and had come for treatment.
A North Carolina man who now faces murder charges in the shooting death of a WakeMed hospital police officer was a ‘kind soul in crises,’ according to friends.
Benji Martin Jr., 29, of Garner at the time of Saturday’s shooting death of WakeMed Garner Healthplex police officer Roger Smith, 59, had gone to the emergency room of the medical facility seeking help after after suffering a mental breakdown.
Smith was shot around 9 a.m. Saturday while ‘struggling’ with Martin at WakeMed Garner Healthplex on U.S. 70 in Garner, police said. Martin was also shot. Friends speaking to the NewsandObserver said he was in surgery for several hours after the shooting and remained in the hospital.
Garner man had come to check self undergoing mental health breakdown
Those who knew the beleaguered man claim Martin was under enormous stress prior to the incident. Martin’s grandmother in South Carolina is in failing health, and he had been traveling between Garner and South Carolina to visit with her according to Sam Hadi, Martin’s best friend for 20 years.
Martin’s fiancée, who was pregnant with twins had lost one of the babies last week. She lost the second baby on Saturday while Martin was in surgery and remains in serious condition at a hospital in Greensboro, Hadi told the outlet. Martin was supposed to see her that day, but had a mental breakdown from the pressure the friend insists.
Leading into the tragic shooting, Martin had been accompanied by two friends to the Garner facility. They checked Martin in and were trying to calm him down when staff called security, he said. Police said Smith, who had worked at the hospital for 14 years, responded to the disturbance.
At some point both Smith and Martin ended up in a struggle, with shots fired, presumably after Martin wrestled the gun from the security cop. Police to date have yet to release exact details in the very moments leading to the gunfire.
Story behind Garner Medical Shooting not being fully told say friends
‘Benji hurt nobody. He didn’t physically touch the nurses, and when the video comes out, you are going to see that,’ Hadi said, referring to the possibility of security and police body camera recordings.
According to other friends the NewsandObserver spoke to, Martin was a hard worker who had a gentle demeanor. They claim the whole story leading into Saturday’s shooting was not being ‘fully told,’ according to the outlet.
In 2019, Martin graduated from East Carolina University with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts, majoring in dance performance, the university said. One of those who went on to dance with Martin in dance productions was Rachel Petherbridge.
‘He is just the kindest, most gentle human being,’ she told the outlet. ‘The fact that this has happened is beyond belief to the point that I cannot in good conscience, as a friend that has known him for over 15 years, believe this is the whole story.’
A GoFundme which had been set up on behalf of Martin was taken down late Monday in accordance with the Fundraising site’s rules that disallows for the raising of funds someone charged with felony crime.
Upon Martin’s release from hospital, Wake County District prosecutor will officially charge Martin with murder. Of note, Martin has no prior criminal charges beyond a ticket in October for driving with an expired license.
An online obituary describes Roger Smith as a loving father and grandfather who had also volunteered for 20 years as a firefighter with the Garner Fire Department. Before joining WakeMed, he spent 16 years with the Knightdale Police Department, where Knightdale Police Chief Lawrence Capps said he left a warm and lasting impression.
Garner Police are expected to release more information about the shooting on Wednesday.
A funeral for Officer Smith will be held Monday, Nov. 17 in Raleigh.
