Sheriff’s department arrest suspect in South Sacramento shooting

SACRAMENTO — The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department on Friday arrested the suspect in last year’s shooting in South Sacramento.

Marquise Smith

Sacramento resident Marquise Smith, 21, who is already in custody for other unrelated charges, was booked Friday morning on suspicion of murder, according to a press release from the department. He is ineligible for bail, according to the Sacramento County jail log.

On Sept. 4, 2010, the sheriff’s department responded to a shooting at the Fast Trip gas station on Florin and Power Inn roads in South Sacramento. A group of people had gathered outside the station, and 26-year-old Danielle Benefield, who was sitting in a car in the parking lot, was shot and died at the scene, the press release states.

Although there were witnesses, homicide detectives did not get any information that would identify the suspect until recently, the press release states. Ramos said detectives received information from the public that led to identifying Smith as the suspect.

Detectives believe Benefield and Smith are not related in any way. Motive for the crime is still unknown.

Smith scheduled to appear in court at 1:30 p.m. on March 3 at the Sacramento County Main Jail Department 62.

The sheriff’s department is encouraging anyone with information related to the case to call the homicide bureau at (916) 874-5115.