A man from Tyler, Texas, age 42, has been given a life sentence without parole for the murder of two dentists.

Steven Alexander Smith was handed down his sentence on January 22, 2024, after pleading guilty to capital murder charges related to the deaths of 59-year-old Dr. Blake G. Sinclair and 75-year-old Dr. Jack E. Burroughs.

The tragic event unfolded on March 16, 2022, at a dental clinic called Affordable Dentures & Implants in Tyler. Smith, a patient of the clinic, voiced his unhappiness with his denture procedure, leading to a contentious confrontation. His anger flared when he was informed he would be terminated as a patient.

Smith, labeled by the clinic staff as a “difficult patient,” tried to grab his dentures and shoved Dr. Burroughs to the ground. He exited the clinic, only to return with a handgun. He forced the door open while Dr. Burroughs attempted to lock it. A brief struggle ensued, after which Smith shot five times at Dr. Burroughs and Dr. Sinclair. The victims were later declared deceased at the hospital.

The perpetrator escaped from the scene but was subsequently located and arrested by the police at his residence.

As Smith was pulling into his driveway, a deputy spotted him and set up a perimeter around his home. Smith surrendered after his parents exited the house.

Upon searching the house, law enforcement discovered two handguns of the same caliber used in the fatal shooting of the two dentists.

A nurse who had worked with Smith during his dental procedure recalled his displeasure with the treatment and the uncomfortable atmosphere he generated among the staff.

The sentencing of Smith to life imprisonment has provided some measure of relief to the families of the victims.

Earlier, the District Attorney’s Office of Smith County had opted not to seek the death penalty in this case, leading to Smith’s life sentence.