Man indicted for murder in shooting death of WakeMed police officer Roger Smith
WAKE COUNTY, N.C. (WTVD) -- Benji Martin Jr., who is charged in the death of WakeMed officer Roger Smith has been indicted by a grand jury.
The indictment comes nearly a month after the shooting that happened in the emergency department lobby at WakeMed Garner Healthplex.
The True Bill states that on November 8, 2025, in Wake County, the defendant, unlawfully, willfully and feloniously did with malice aforethought kill and murder Roger Smith.
Benji Martin Jr. was also wounded in the incident and spent two weeks in the hospital. He was released on Friday, Nov. 21, and appeared before a magistrate to be officially charged.
Martin had his first appearance on Monday, Nov. 24, and was ordered held without bond.
Court documents obtained by ABC11 show his defense claims he went to the hospital to get help for his mental health. The documents state that Martin's fiancée had a miscarriage with twins, and that he was not armed when he was at the hospital.
In court, the district attorney's office did not provide any further details on what may have happened that day that escalated into a shooting between Martin and Smith.
On the day of his first court hearing, the Martin family and supporters contend law enforcement has said there is surveillance footage from the incident that details the sequencing of events, and according to court filings, the family claims they have yet to see the footage.
"Mr. Martin was there seeking medical attention. And we're calling for the immediate release of that video," said Rev. Greg Drumwright, who appeared alongside the family.
attended the hearing, including his father, who called for the release of video from the hospital related to the shooting.
"We need to see the videos. Hopefully, they will let it out so we can see when we get past this. We're asking for the Wake County District Attorney's office to release the video," Benji Martin Sr. said.
District Attorney Lorrin Freeman told ABC11 that she would not be commenting publicly on the case.
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If convicted, Martin could face the possibility of life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty.
Officer Smith was a 14-year veteran of WakeMed's Public Safety Team who previously served in the Knightdale Police Department.
He was laid to rest on Nov. 17.
