A suspect who was being held in a California jail on charges connected to a 2022 mass shooting in the state capital died in his cell Saturday, according to police and his attorney.
The 29-year-old male inmate died while in custody at the Sacramento County Main Jail around 2:15 a.m., the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement posted on social media.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported public defender Norman Dawson identified the man as Smiley Martin, his client who was awaiting trial on three felony charges stemming from an April 3, 2022, shooting in Sacramento that killed six people and wounded 12 others, including two of the alleged shooters.
Jail deputies were conducting a cell check and found an unresponsive inmate. The deputies and then fire department personnel attempted life-saving procedures but he was pronounced dead, the sheriff’s office said.
The Sacramento County Coroner’s Office will determine the cause of death and release the man’s name after notification of his next of kin, according to the sheriff’s office, which said it will investigate.
Martin was “fighting to defend his innocence in the preliminary hearing process” at the time of his death, Dawson said in a written statement.
More than 100 shots were fired in rapid-fire succession in a downtown entertainment area near the state Capitol building during the shooting around 2 a.m.
Two groups of men connected to gangs began shooting as bars and clubs emptied out at closing time, sending hundreds of people desperately trying to reach safety. At least five gunmen were involved, police said.
Martin, who was 27 at the time, was arrested while hospitalized with gunshot wounds. He was charged with murder, being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession and transport of a machine gun.
Authorities also arrested his brother, Dandrae Martin, 26 at the time, as a “related suspect” on charges of assault with a deadly weapon and being a convict carrying a loaded gun. He suffered minor wounds.
Dandrae Martin posted a live video of himself with a handgun hours before the shooting, a law enforcement official said.
A third man, Mtula Payton, also was charged in connection with the shooting.
The California mass shooting suspect, who was arrested following a tragic incident that left multiple people dead and injured, has been confirmed dead in his jail cell. The suspect, whose identity has not been released to the public, was found unresponsive in his cell by prison staff. Despite efforts to revive him, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The news of the suspect’s death comes as a shock to many, as he was awaiting trial for his alleged involvement in the mass shooting. The circumstances surrounding his death are still under investigation, but authorities have stated that foul play is not suspected at this time.
Police and the suspect’s attorney have both confirmed his death, expressing their condolences to the families of the victims of the mass shooting. The suspect’s attorney has stated that they will be conducting their own investigation into the circumstances of his death.
The mass shooting that the suspect was allegedly involved in rocked the community and left many people reeling from the senseless violence. The news of his death has only added to the confusion and sadness surrounding the incident.
As more details emerge about the suspect’s death, it is important for the public to remember that everyone is entitled to due process and a fair trial, regardless of the crimes they are accused of committing. The families of the victims deserve justice, and it is crucial that the legal system works to hold those responsible for the mass shooting accountable.
In the wake of this tragic event, it is important for communities to come together to support one another and work towards preventing future acts of violence. By standing united against senseless acts of violence, we can create a safer and more peaceful world for all.
