A campus police officer was shot and killed in the emergency room lobby of a North Carolina hospital on Saturday morning, leading to murder charges against a 29-year-old man who was also wounded in the incident.
Roger Smith, 59, was working at the WakeMed Garner Healthplex in Garner, just outside Raleigh, when the shooting occurred around 9 a.m. on Saturday, November 8, 2025. The officer was shot once during what investigators described as a struggle in the emergency department lobby.
Despite immediate life-saving efforts by emergency department medical staff, Smith died from his injuries. Benji Martin Jr., 29, of Garner, was charged with murder in connection with Smith’s death. Martin was also shot during the incident and remains hospitalized under medical supervision. He will be transported to the Wake County Detention Center following his release from medical care.
Law enforcement officials praised Smith’s actions during the deadly confrontation, crediting him with preventing additional casualties. Garner Police Capt. David Casteline said in a statement that medical personnel at the scene described Smith as a hero whose actions likely prevented further loss of life, adding that his courage and selfless service exemplified the highest ideals of law enforcement.
North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein expressed condolences to Smith’s family in a post on social media. “My heart goes out to the family of Officer Roger Smith, who was killed protecting patients and their families,” Stein stated. He noted that law enforcement officers put themselves in harm’s way to keep communities safe and expressed gratitude for Smith’s sacrifice.
Smith had dedicated much of his adult life to public safety work. Reports indicate he worked at WakeMed for 14 years as a campus police officer. Before joining the hospital system, Smith served with the Knightdale Police Department from 1997 to 2013, spending 16 years protecting that community.
The Knightdale Police Department released a statement mourning the loss of the longtime resident, calling Smith a local hero who was killed in the line of duty. Garner Police Chief Chris Adams characterized the hospital shooting as a heartbreaking and senseless act of violence, noting that Smith dedicated his career to protecting others and put the safety of others before his own, even in his final moments.
On Tuesday, November 11, law enforcement agencies from across the region gathered to honor Smith with a ceremonial procession. Dozens of vehicles from the Raleigh Police Department, Wake County Sheriff’s Office, State Capitol Police, WakeMed, and North Carolina State Highway Patrol escorted Smith’s body from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to Brown-Wynne Funeral Home on St. Mary’s Street in Raleigh. A trail of flashing blue lights traveled along Blue Ridge Road onto Wade Avenue around 10:30 a.m. as marked SUVs, cruisers and motorcycles led the way.
A Funeral Service will be held on Monday, November 17, 2025, at 12 Noon at Providence Church in Raleigh, NC. The Carolina Hurricanes will also honor Smith and his family Saturday night at the Lenovo Center game against the Edmonton Oilers, recognizing his love of hockey.
Meanwhile, friends and acquaintances of the accused shooter have expressed disbelief at the charges. Those who knew Martin described him as gentle and kind, characterizing the accusations as out of character. According to sources, Martin was an honors student at Garner High School and majored in dance at East Carolina University.
Chris Poole, identified as a friend of Martin, told reporters that the group wants to see what really happened because Martin is not like that and has no criminal background or record. Poole emphasized that the situation is deeper than currently known and called for the release of video footage from the incident to understand the truth.
The Garner Police Department and the State Bureau of Investigation continue to investigate the altercation. Details about the motive for the shooting and what sparked the confrontation have not been released by authorities.
WakeMed Health & Hospitals issued a statement expressing grief over the loss of Smith, who served as a campus police officer for more than a decade. The health system stated that hearts are broken and they grieve alongside Smith’s family, loved ones, colleagues and friends. WakeMed leadership emphasized they are working closely with investigators as the case continues to develop.
The Garner Healthplex emergency department lobby was temporarily closed following the shooting. Additional staff and counselors were made available on-site to support the Garner emergency department and campus police teams following the violent incident.