Hospital officer killed after struggle in emergency lobby in Garner, North Carolina

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GARNER, N.C. — WakeMed campus police Officer Roger Smith, 59, was shot and killed Saturday morning after a struggle in the emergency department lobby of the WakeMed Garner Healthplex, authorities said. Smith was pronounced dead at the scene despite immediate life-saving efforts by hospital staff. AP News+1

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According to police timelines, officers responded about 9 a.m. to reports of a disturbance and a subsequent shooting in the facility’s ER lobby. Investigators say a confrontation between Smith and a man later identified as 29-year-old Benji Martin Jr. of Garner turned physical and ended when Smith was shot. Martin was also wounded during the incident and was treated at a hospital; authorities say he has been charged with murder and will be transported to the Wake County Detention Center when medically cleared. ABC11 Raleigh-Durham+1

 

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Hospital and law enforcement statements described the episode as a “struggle” and credited Smith’s swift action with preventing further harm to patients and staff. WakeMed released a statement mourning Smith, noting he served more than a decade with WakeMed campus police and had previously served with the Knightdale Police Department. State and local investigative agencies, including the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, are assisting Garner police. WXII+1

Witnesses and colleagues remembered Smith as calm and compassionate. Friends and co-workers who spoke with reporters said Smith was trusted and devoted to protecting patients; dozens of law enforcement vehicles later escorted his casket in a procession to a Raleigh funeral home. Local officials, including the governor, offered condolences and praised his sacrifice. WRAL News+1

Police said the inquiry remains active and that they are still piecing together how the struggle began. Investigators have not publicly released additional details about what prompted the confrontation, and authorities urged anyone with information to contact the Garner Police Department. ABC11 Raleigh-Durham+1

Hospital police officer shot and killed in North Carolina emergency department struggle — https://apnews.com/article/df8fc7c561c8186032df6992811bef5a

Friends say man charged in WakeMed officer's death was … — https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article312855652.html 

Procession held for WakeMed officer shot, killed while on duty — https://www.wral.com/news/local/procession-roger-smith-wakemed-death-november-2025/

Here’s what we know about the WakeMed Garner Healthplex shooting — https://www.wxii12.com/article/campus-police-officer-shot-wakemed-garner-healthplex/69298280 

WakeMed police officer shot, killed on duty in Garner — https://abc11.com/post/hospital-police-officer-shot-killed-on-duty-wakemed-garner/18129936/

 

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