SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – A 29-year-old man facing murder charges in connection to a mass shooting that resulted in six deaths and 12 injuries in Sacramento, California, passed away in jail over the weekend, according to his attorney. The suspect, identified as Smiley Martin, was also charged with two felony firearms possession counts related to the chaotic April 2022 shooting, which involved multiple shooters leaving behind over 100 shell casings at the crime scene. Authorities arrested two other individuals, including Martin’s brother, in connection to the incident.
Martin’s attorney, Norman Dawson, expressed deep sorrow over his client’s unexpected death, stating that Martin was fighting to prove his innocence during the preliminary hearing process. The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office announced on social media that a 29-year-old inmate was found unresponsive in his cell and was pronounced dead despite resuscitation efforts. The agency did not disclose Martin’s identity but indicated the inmate had been in custody since April 20, 2022, when Martin was arrested.
Following the downtown Sacramento shooting, investigators suspected gang involvement as they believed at least five shooters from two separate groups engaged in gunfire. Sacramento Police Sgt. Zach Eaton refrained from discussing the suspects’ gang affiliations, and the investigation continues. Martin and his brother were discovered at the shooting scene with severe gunshot wounds, with his brother subsequently pleading not guilty to murder and firearm possession charges. He remains in custody without bail, with a court appearance scheduled for August 16.
The circumstances surrounding Martin’s death in jail are currently under investigation by the sheriff’s office, with the cause of death pending determination by the county coroner’s office. Dawson and Martin’s defense team offered their condolences to his family and pledged ongoing support. The tragic turn of events adds complexity to an already distressing case tied to the violent outburst in Sacramento earlier this year, prompting further scrutiny into the underlying issues of gang violence impacting the community. The ripple effects of such incidents often extend beyond the immediate victims, highlighting the broader societal challenges at play.