The Fayetteville Police Department has announced the arrest of an individual in connection with the February 26, 2025, homicide of Sencedrick Barham at Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill on Skibo Road. Jeremiah Buffington, 18, was taken into custody on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, and charged with First Degree Murder. Buffington is currently being held without bond at the Cumberland County Detention Center.

In addition to the homicide charge, Buffington faces multiple charges related to a separate shooting that occurred in Banner Elk on May 17, 2025. These charges include Attempted Murder, Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill, Assault Inflicting Serious Injury, and Possession of a Stolen Firearm. This incident involved two victims, a juvenile with non-life-threatening injuries and an adult with life-threatening injuries, who is now reported to be in stable condition.

Previously, on February 26, 2025, at approximately 4:58 PM, officers responded to a reported shooting at Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill, where they found Sencedrick Barham with a gunshot wound in the parking lot. Barham was transported to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, but he later died from his injuries.

The Fayetteville Police Department’s Homicide Unit continues to investigate the incident. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Homicide Detective C. Cross at 472-210-2381. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at (910) 483-8477 or through their website at http://fay-nccrimestoppers.org