Garner, N.C. — A police officer was fatally shot Saturday morning in a distressing incident at the emergency department lobby of WakeMed Garner Healthplex. The shooting unfolded around 9 a.m. as Officer Roger Smith engaged in a struggle prior to being shot, according to law enforcement reports.
Officers on the scene indicated that Smith was transported to the main WakeMed campus in Raleigh, where he later succumbed to his injuries. The event has shocked the local community, highlighting the risks first responders face daily.
In response to the shooting, police apprehended the suspected shooter, ensuring there was no further threat to hospital safety. A spokesperson for the Garner Police Department confirmed that the investigation is ongoing, and forensic teams were seen at the facility gathering evidence.
Following the incident, approximately 20 to 30 law enforcement officers secured the area, conducting thorough searches to collect any necessary evidence. A procession honoring Smith’s memory later led to the closure of Interstate 440 West as his body was escorted to the medical examiner’s office.
WakeMed officials commended the emergency staff for their prompt and courageous response to the unfolding crisis. In a statement, the hospital expressed profound gratitude for their efforts during the incident. “WakeMed leadership is on-site and collaborating with the State Bureau of Investigation and the Garner Police Department, as is standard in cases involving police shootings,” the statement read.
Currently, the emergency department lobby is closed to the public while additional staff and counselors are present to support hospital personnel and law enforcement involved in the incident.
State Governor Josh Stein expressed his condolences through a statement, emphasizing the bravery exhibited by law enforcement officers. “My heart goes out to the family of Officer Roger Smith, who was killed protecting patients and their families,” Stein stated. He urged the community to keep Smith’s family in their thoughts during this challenging time.
This tragic event has left many in Garner reeling, underlining the unpredictability of public safety work and the inherent dangers accompanying the role of law enforcement.