Fayetteville Man Pleads Guilty to Second-Degree Murder
Jeremiah Travell Buffington entered a guilty plea for the 2025 shooting death of 18-year-old Sencedrick Antonio Barham Jr.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Violence
Jeremiah Travell Buffington, 19, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder regarding the shooting death of 18-year-old Sencedrick Antonio Barham Jr. The fatal shooting occurred outside a local restaurant in Fayetteville.
Why it matters
The guilty plea resolves the criminal case following the February 2025 incident that claimed the life of a teenager in the community. It concludes the legal proceedings stemming from the violence that broke out on Skibo Road.
The defendant, Jeremiah Travell Buffington, entered his guilty plea in October 2026. This follows the 2025 shooting of Sencedrick Antonio Barham Jr., who was treated at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center before his death.
The players
Jeremiah Travell Buffington
The 19-year-old defendant pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for his role in the fatal shooting.
Sencedrick Antonio Barham Jr.
The 18-year-old victim died from gunshot injuries sustained during the incident.
The details
The shooting took place outside a Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill located on Skibo Road in Fayetteville. Emergency responders transported the victim to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center for treatment of his gunshot injuries.
Timeline
The shooting of Sencedrick Antonio Barham Jr. occurred in February 2025.
Jeremiah Travell Buffington entered a guilty plea in October 2026.
Legal Context
This plea represents the resolution of a violent incident that occurred in Fayetteville in early 2025. It marks a departure from pending investigations by finalizing the status of the defendant involved in the Skibo Road shooting.
The resolution of this case brings closure to a violent event that occurred in a high-traffic area of Fayetteville. Residents may consider this a significant step forward in addressing the safety concerns that emerged following the February 2025 incident.
The takeaway
This case highlights the judicial process following fatal violence involving young adults in the city. The guilty plea serves as the final step in the legal accountability for the shooting incident.
Further reading
For more on local law enforcement efforts, visit the Fayetteville Violence section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Fayetteville Observer.
