Sacramento, Calif. – A tragic development has unfolded in the aftermath of a mass shooting in Sacramento, with the suspected gunman passing away while in custody at the Sacramento County Main Jail. The individual, identified as Smiley Martin, was just 29 years old and had been in custody since April 20, 2022, according to reports. The Sacramento Sheriff’s Office did not provide further details about the circumstances of the inmate’s death.
Public defender Norman Dawson expressed deep sadness over Martin’s unexpected passing, highlighting the injustice of his death while still in the process of defending his innocence during the preliminary hearing. Martin had been facing serious charges including murder, possession of a firearm by a felon, and possession of a machine gun. He was one of the dozen individuals injured in the mass shooting incident that took place on April 3, 2022, claiming the lives of six people amidst a deadly gang conflict.
Further complicating the situation, Martin’s younger brother, Dandrae Martin, was also arrested and faced charges of murder and possession of a firearm by a felon in connection to the same incident. The third individual involved in the shooting, Mtula Payton, was arrested in Las Vegas weeks after the tragic event.
The discovery of Smiley Martin’s passing occurred during a routine cell check at the Sacramento County Main Jail. Despite efforts to administer life-saving measures, Martin was unable to be revived and ultimately succumbed to his fate. The exact cause of death remains unclear at this time, leaving authorities and the public with lingering questions and concerns surrounding this case.