A tragic incident unfolded early Saturday morning when a veteran officer of the campus police unit at a North Carolina medical facility was fatally shot inside the emergency-department lobby. Authorities say a struggle erupted, culminating in the death of the officer, and a suspect has since been taken into custody and charged with murder.
Struggle in Hospital Lobby Ends in Officer’s Death
The incident occurred at the WakeMed Garner Healthplex in Garner, just outside Raleigh, where 59-year-old campus police officer Roger Smith was on duty when the altercation began. According to officials, around 9 a.m. a suspect engaged in a confrontation in the lobby of the emergency department, leading to a violent struggle. During the encounter, Officer Smith was shot and later died from his wounds.
Suspect Arrested, Murder Charges Filed
Investigators identified the suspect as 29-year-old Benji Martin Jr. of Garner. He has been arrested and formally charged with murder in connection with the officer’s death. Authorities say Martin sustained injuries during the struggle and is being treated in hospital.
Community Responds, Investigation Underway
The law-enforcement and local community have expressed deep grief and respect for Officer Smith, describing him as a devoted public servant who acted to protect patients and staff. Meanwhile, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and local law-enforcement agencies are probing the full circumstances of the incident, including how the confrontation began and escalated inside the hospital lobby.
