Patient sentenced for murdering 2 dentists

A patient who reportedly shot and killed two dentists at a practice in Texas because he didn’t like his dentures pleaded guilty to the crime on January 22 and will spend the rest of his life in prison, according to multiple news reports.

Steven Alexander Smith, 42, pleaded guilty to capital murder of multiple persons for the shooting deaths of Dr. Jack Burroughs Jr., 75, and Dr. Blake Sinclair, 59, who practiced at Affordable Dentures & Implants in Tyler, TX. Smith took the plea and accepted an automatic life prison sentence. Initially, Smith faced the death penalty, but that charge was taken off the table in November 2023.

On March 16, 2022, Smith, a patient at the practice, purportedly became angry at the staff over his dentures. The patient reportedly argued with both dentists, became irate, tried to take his dentures, and pushed Burroughs to the ground, according to reports.

Then, Smith purportedly left the practice and went to his pickup truck. When he returned to the practice, Burroughs tried to lock the front door, but Smith forced it open. Sinclair allegedly grabbed Smith from behind, and the two started to fight.

An employee at the practice saw Smith take out a handgun and shoot approximately five times at both dentists. Sinclair and Burroughs were both shot and died of their injuries at the hospital.