Inmate Linked to Sacramento Mass Shooting Found Dead in Jail

Smiley Martin, 29, was awaiting trial on three felony charges related to the April 2022 shooting that killed six people. His death is currently under investigation.

A 29-year-old man charged in connection with the deadly Sacramento mass shooting in April 2022 was found dead in his jail cell early Saturday morning, according to his attorney.

Smiley Martin, who was awaiting trial on three felony charges related to the shooting, was discovered unresponsive during a cell check at the Sacramento County Main Jail around 2:15 a.m., the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office said in a statement.

Jail deputies immediately performed life-saving procedures, but Martin was pronounced dead at the scene, the sheriff's office said. The Sacramento County Coroner's Office will determine the cause of death.

Martin's public defender, Norman Dawson, confirmed his client's passing in a written statement to Fox News Digital on Monday. "It is most tragic that Mr. Martin passed away, fighting to defend his innocence in the preliminary hearing process," Dawson said.

Martin was facing three felony charges: murder, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and possession and transport of a machine gun. He was one of five suspects arrested in connection with the shooting that killed six people and injured 12 others.

The shooting occurred around 2 a.m. on April 3, 2022, in a downtown entertainment area near the state Capitol building as bar patrons filled the streets at closing time. Video from witnesses posted on social media showed rapid gunfire for at least 45 seconds as people screamed in terror and ran to escape the bullets.

Martin was arrested while hospitalized with gunshot wounds. His brother, Dandrae Martin, 26, was also arrested and charged with assault with a deadly weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. A third man, Mtula Payton, was also charged in connection with the shooting.

The circumstances surrounding Martin's death are under investigation by the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office. The sheriff's office did not identify Martin by name in its statement on Saturday, but Dawson confirmed his client's identity to Fox News Digital.

The death of a suspect in custody is a rare occurrence, though it does happen. In the United States, the vast majority of jail deaths are due to natural causes or suicide. However, there have been cases of inmates being killed by other inmates or by guards.

In 2019, for example, a 26-year-old man named Eric Coomer died after being beaten by guards at the Sacramento County Main Jail. Coomer was arrested for violating his parole and was reportedly suffering from mental health issues at the time of his death.

The death of Smiley Martin is a reminder of the dangers faced by those in custody, even in a relatively safe and secure environment like the Sacramento County Main Jail. It is also a reminder of the importance of investigating all deaths in custody thoroughly and holding those responsible accountable.