Sacramento, California – A 29-year-old man, identified as Smiley Martin, has passed away while in custody on charges related to a fatal mass shooting in Sacramento. The shooting, which occurred in April 2022, resulted in six deaths and 12 injuries in a violent incident involving at least five shooters. Martin was facing a murder charge as well as two felony firearms possession counts in connection with the chaotic crime scene littered with over 100 shell casings.
According to reports from CNN affiliate KCRA, Martin was found unresponsive in his cell at the Sacramento County Main Jail over the weekend and was pronounced dead despite efforts to save him. The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, although not naming Martin directly, confirmed the death of a 29-year-old man who had been in custody since the time of Martin’s arrest in April. The cause of death is currently under investigation by the sheriff’s office.
Martin’s attorney, Norman Dawson, expressed deep sadness over the unexpected death of his client, stating that Martin was committed to defending his innocence during the legal process. Dawson extended condolences to Martin’s family and offered ongoing support through this difficult time.
Following the downtown Sacramento shooting, authorities indicated that the incident was possibly linked to gang violence, with at least five shooters believed to have been involved in the exchange of gunfire. Martin and his brother, Dandrae Martin, were both found at the scene with gunshot injuries. Dandrae Martin has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and possession of a firearm as a felon and remains in custody without bond.
The investigation into the shooting continues as law enforcement officials work to uncover more details surrounding the tragic incident. As the community grapples with the aftermath of the violence, the legal proceedings regarding the suspects involved are set to unfold in the coming months.