911 Calls Reveal Chaos at WakeMed Garner Healthplex, Suspect Charged
Audio from eight 911 calls released by media outlets described frantic noise at WakeMed Garner Healthplex during a November 8 incident, and authorities identified 29 year old Benji Martin as the suspect. The recordings and ongoing investigation raise fresh questions about emergency room safety and law enforcement response for Wake County residents.
On November 8, emergency dispatchers received a series of frantic 911 calls from WakeMed Garner Healthplex that culminated in gunfire, according to recordings described in a WRAL report published on November 20 and updated November 21. The released audio captures callers amid background commotion and includes a description of a patient who arrived "tripping out" before, seconds later, multiple gunshots were heard. The recordings have become a focal point as investigators piece together the sequence of events.
Authorities subsequently identified 29 year old Benji Martin as the suspect. Police reports state Martin was treated for injuries following the incident and was later charged. Officials have not released full details of the charges in the WRAL coverage, and investigators continue to examine whether a weapon was brought into the facility by the patient or whether an officer's firearm discharged during a struggle. The uncertainty about how the shooting began remains central to the active investigation.
For residents of Wake County the release of the 911 calls illustrates the immediacy of risk at a place many consider safe for urgent medical care. Emergency departments see a high volume of patients with varied clinical and behavioral needs, and an incident that escalates to gunfire underscores the need for clear safety protocols and rapid coordination between hospital security and law enforcement. WakeMed and local authorities face decisions about access control, staffing, and training as they respond to community concerns.
The recordings and the investigation may also influence ongoing discussions about transparency and public information. Law enforcement agencies must balance investigative integrity with the public demand for detail, while the hospital must address patient and staff welfare after a violent event. As the legal process moves forward, Wake County residents can expect more updates from authorities about the circumstances that led to the shooting and any changes to hospital safety measures.
