A 42-year-old man from Tyler, Texas, has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of two dentists.
On January 22, 2024, Steven Alexander Smith received his sentence following his guilty plea to capital murder charges in the deaths of Dr. Blake G. Sinclair, 59, and Dr. Jack E. Burroughs, 75.
The heinous act occurred at Affordable Dentures & Implants, a dental clinic in Tyler, on March 16, 2022. Smith, a patient at the clinic, expressed dissatisfaction with his denture treatment, leading to a heated disagreement. He became angry when he was told he would no longer be a patient.
Smith, whom staff described as a “difficult patient,” pushed Dr. Burroughs to the ground. He left the clinic only to return with a handgun, forcing open the door while Dr. Burroughs tried to lock it. After a short struggle, Smith fatally shot both Dr. Burroughs and Dr. Sinclair around five times. They were pronounced dead at the hospital.
The suspect fled the scene but was later apprehended by law enforcement at his home.
A deputy found Smith pulling into his driveway, and a perimeter was established around his house, resulting in his eventual surrender after his parents emerged from the home.
Inside the home, authorities found two pistols matching the caliber of the gun used in the shootings.
The nurse working with Smith recounted his problematic behavior during the dental procedure, noting his dissatisfaction, and the discomfort he caused the staff.
The sentencing of Smith to life imprisonment offers a degree of closure to the victims’ families.
The Smith County District Attorney’s Office had previously decided not to pursue the death penalty in this case. This decision led to his life sentence.
