GARNER, N.C. (WTVD) — It’s still unclear as to what led up to a shooting that took the life of WakeMed police officer Roger Smith on Saturday.
ABC11 spoke with close friends of the man facing a murder charge from the shooting – 29-year-old Benji Martin – and spoke with the law enforcement community that has rallied to support Officer Smith’s family.
Tributes have poured in for WakeMed officer Roger Smith since the weekend shooting that claimed his life.
Garner Police said Wednesday that it was too early for the department to comment on exactly what happened.
“Some questions cannot be answered at this stage due to the early and active nature of the investigation, as we continue to piece together the exact sequence of events that occurred on Saturday,” said a Garner police spokesperson in a news release.
Garner Police also said Martin remains hospitalized at WakeMed and is receiving treatment after he was shot during the incident.
Benji Martin Jr. is godfather to two young girls. Those who know him are perplexed as to how the deadly incident happened.
Melquana Terry said she and others who know Martin say they don’t understand how something like this could happen, and want to know what led up to the shooting.
Terry said Martin is the godfather to her daughters, and described him as a fun, gentle, and supportive man who is a great dancer.
“It doesn’t feel real to anybody,” she said. “His goddaughters are his world for everything. He vowed to literally take care of them. And that’s exactly what he was doing.”
Terry’s 11-year-old daughter Ka’mora said Martin was more than a godfather to her.
“He was my second dad, and he was my third superhero,” she said.
Ka’mora said Martin was the first person at every one of her birthday parties. She’s preparing to celebrate her birthday without Martin this Saturday.
“I won’t be able to see him on my birthday, but I can always just pray to at least see him at some point at the end of the day,” she said.
Back the Blue NC has been raising support for Smith’s family.
Smith previously worked with Knightdale Police before working for WakeMed.
Back the Blue NC founder and CEO Lindsay LiCausi said many in the law enforcement community also have questions about what led up to the tragic incident.
“Right now, agencies and friends and loved ones of Officer Smith are still reeling from the incident that happened,” she said. “We all want to know why this happened? Why did such a good man have to lose his life?”
The Carolina Hurricanes told ABC11 that the team will be honoring Smith during their game on Saturday. Smith was an enthusiastic fan of the Canes.
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