SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The suspect in a fatal mass shooting in Sacramento has passed away while in custody. The inmate has been identified as Smiley Martin, who was being held at the Sacramento County Main Jail since April 20, 2022. The Sacramento Sheriff’s Office did not disclose the identity of the inmate, but confirmed the death of a 29-year-old man who was found unresponsive during a routine cell check in the 5-East 300 Pod.
Martin, who was facing charges of murder, possession of a firearm by a felon, and possession of a machine gun, was one of the individuals injured in the mass shooting that resulted in the deaths of six people on April 3, 2022. The incident was reportedly linked to a gang dispute that escalated into a violent altercation. His younger brother, Dandrae Martin, was also arrested on charges related to the shooting, including murder and possession of a firearm by a felon.
The unexpected death of Smiley Martin was met with sadness by his legal team, who expressed their deep regret over the loss. Norman Dawson, Martin’s public defender, highlighted the tragedy of his client passing away while still in the process of defending his innocence during preliminary hearings.
The investigation into the mass shooting in Sacramento has led to multiple arrests, including that of Dandrae Martin as a “related suspect” on charges of assault with a deadly weapon and carrying a loaded gun as a convicted felon connected to the incident. Additionally, another individual involved in the shooting, Mtula Payton, was apprehended in Las Vegas weeks after the tragic event.
Authorities are yet to determine the cause of Smiley Martin’s death while in custody, as efforts to revive him at the jail were unsuccessful. The circumstances surrounding his passing remain unclear as officials continue their investigation.