🚨⚖️ Seeking Truth: WakeMed Shooting Raises Questions About Use of Force

On Saturday, November 8, 2025, a fatal shooting occurred inside the emergency department lobby of WakeMed Garner Healthplex. The incident involved WakeMed Campus Police Officer Roger Smith, 59, and Benji Martin Jr., a 29-year-old Black man from Garner. Both men were shot during a physical altercation. Officer Smith died from his injuries; Martin remains hospitalized and has been charged with murder.

🕵️‍♂️ What We Know So Far

• The shooting happened around 9:00 a.m. in a public hospital lobby.

• Police described the event as a “struggle” between Smith and Martin.

• Martin was also shot and is under medical supervision.

• Authorities have not released a motive or detailed account of how the altercation began.

  
  

🧭 A Narrative in Question

While WakeMed and law enforcement officials have praised Officer Smith for his service and described him as a protector, no official report has yet clarified who initiated the physical confrontation. The lack of transparency has led some in the community to question whether Smith may have escalated the situation.

• Garner Police have not responded to media inquiries about the nature of the struggle.

• No body camera footage or surveillance video has been released.

• Benji Martin Jr. has not yet made a public statement, and his legal defense has not commented.

  
  

🗣️ Community Voices

Some residents and advocates are calling for a full, impartial investigation. They argue that labeling Smith a hero before facts are confirmed risks silencing alternative narratives, especially when the other party is a young Black man who may have acted in self-defense.

This case echoes broader concerns about use of force in medical settings, where individuals may be in crisis and vulnerable to escalation. The emergency room is known to be a high-stress environment, and law enforcement responses must be scrutinized for proportionality and de-escalation.

⚖️ The Path Forward

The Wake County District Attorney’s Office and Garner Police Department are continuing their investigation. Until more facts are released, it is essential to approach this case with objectivity, transparency, and a commitment to justice.

Written and inspired by Quarla Blackwell