The individual involved in the 2022 Sacramento mass shooting has passed away while in police custody, according to the suspect's lawyer.
Suspect Smiley Martin was under arrest for a murder charge, as reported by KCRA, a CNN affiliate. Additionally, he was accused of possessing firearms related to the April 2022 shooting, an incident police believe involved at least five shooters and resulted in a messy crime scene with over 100 shell casings. Two other individuals, one of which is Martin's brother, also faced arrest regarding the incident.
Smiley Martin's attorney, Norman Dawson, informed the media of his client's passing early on a Saturday morning. The Sacramento County Sheriff's Office reported that a 29-year-old man had been found unresponsive in his cell around 2:15 a.m., attempts to revive him proved unsuccessful, and he was pronounced dead. The sheriff's office confirmed that this man had been in custody since Martin's arrest, on April 20, 2022.
The sheriff's office stated they would be conducting an investigation into the death, with the cause of death being determined by the county coroner's office.
Dawson, expressing his sadness, mentioned that he and his team were "deeply saddened" by Martin's sudden demise. He added that Martin was battling to prove his innocence during the preliminary hearing process.
"It is most tragic that Mr. Martin passed away while trying to defend his innocence in the preliminary hearing process," Dawson said.
The law firm also extended its condolences to Martin's family, assuring that they are there to support them in the future.
Investigators believed that the downtown Sacramento gunfire involved at least five shooters, belonging to two separate groups, hinting at a possible connection to gang violence.
Back in April, Sergeant Zach Eaton of the Sacramento Police Department refrained from discussing the possible gang ties of the suspects.
Following the shooting, Martin was found with severe gunshot injuries and transported to the hospital. His brother, Dandrae Martin, sustained injuries as well and remained incarcerated on charges of murder and illegal possession of a firearm.
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The sheriff's office will extend their investigation to include Martin's sudden death while in police custody. Despite the challenges, Martin and his legal team were determined to clear his name during the preliminary hearing process.
