A routine shift at a North Carolina hospital ended in tragedy on Saturday morning when a struggle erupted in the emergency-department lobby, resulting in the death of a campus police officer. The incident occurred at the WakeMed Garner Healthplex in Garner, and authorities say a person of interest has been detained. Investigators are working to piece together what triggered the exchange that led to gunfire in a space meant for healing.
Officer’s Death During Lobby Struggle
At approximately 9 a.m., campus police officer Roger Smith, age 59, was on duty in the lobby of the hospital’s emergency department when a physical confrontation took place and he was shot. Despite staff efforts to save him, Smith succumbed to his injuries.
The hospital statement indicated that Smith was engaged in an on-scene struggle with an individual when the shooting occurred.
Suspect in Custody, Lobby Closed
Shortly after the incident, police announced that a person of interest was taken into custody in connection with the officer’s death.
The emergency department’s lobby was temporarily shut off as local and state investigators coordinated the response and looked into how a conflict escalated to gunfire in the hospital setting.
Broader Implications and Response
The shooting has raised questions about security protocols in hospital settings and the risks faced by law-enforcement personnel working in medical facilities. As hospitals increasingly blend healthcare and law-enforcement roles, the line between caregiver and responder becomes more fraught.
State authorities and hospital leadership are reviewing how such a situation arose and whether measures like enhanced screening, de-escalation training or emergency-room security upgrades are needed.
