Benji Martin Jr., Garner Man Accused of Fatally Shooting WakeMed Officer Roger Smith, Was Seeking Mental Health Help Before Tragedy

 

GARNER, N.C. — A 29-year-old North Carolina man accused of fatally shooting a hospital police officer during a disturbance at WakeMed Garner Healthplex had reportedly gone there seeking help amid a mental health crisis, according to friends and family.

Benji Martin Jr., of Garner, has been charged with murder in connection with the death of Officer Roger Smith, 59, a longtime WakeMed campus police officer who was killed during an altercation at the medical facility around 9 a.m. on Saturday.

Authorities said Officer Smith was responding to a disturbance involving Martin when a struggle ensued, leading to gunfire. Both men were shot; Smith succumbed to his injuries, while Martin underwent several hours of surgery and remains hospitalized.

Friends close to Martin told The News & Observer that he had been under immense emotional strain prior to the shooting. His grandmother in South Carolina was gravely ill, and he had been traveling frequently to visit her. Additionally, his fiancée — who was pregnant with twins — lost one of the babies the week before and the second on the day of the shooting, while Martin was in surgery.

“Benji was overwhelmed. He was trying to hold everything together, but it became too much,” said Sam Hadi, Martin’s close friend of 20 years.

Hadi said he and another friend accompanied Martin to the emergency room that morning to help him seek mental health treatment. Staff reportedly called for security when Martin became agitated, prompting Officer Smith to respond.

At some point, a physical struggle broke out, and shots were fired. Police have not yet confirmed how Martin came into possession of the officer’s weapon.

“Benji didn’t hurt anyone before the altercation. He never touched the nurses,” Hadi said, urging investigators to review security and body camera footage to clarify what led to the tragedy.

Martin’s friends described him as a gentle, hardworking man and an accomplished artist. He graduated from East Carolina University in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts, majoring in dance performance.

“He’s the kindest, most gentle human being,” said Rachel Petherbridge, who performed with Martin in dance productions. “I can’t believe this is the full story.”

A GoFundMe created to support Martin’s medical expenses was later removed in accordance with the platform’s policy against fundraising for individuals charged with serious crimes.

Wake County prosecutors plan to formally charge Martin with murder once he is released from the hospital. Officials noted that Martin has no prior criminal record aside from a recent traffic ticket for an expired license.

Meanwhile, the community is mourning Officer Roger Smith, a respected public servant remembered as a loving father, grandfather, and longtime firefighter.

Before joining WakeMed’s campus police force 14 years ago, Smith served 16 years with the Knightdale Police Department and volunteered with the Garner Fire Department for two decades.

“Roger dedicated his life to protecting others,” said Knightdale Police Chief Lawrence Capps, describing him as “a man of honor and compassion.”

Garner Police said additional details about the incident will be released Wednesday, while a funeral service for Officer Smith is scheduled for Monday, November 17, in Raleigh.