Jabar Rajahnik Griffin, 19, was shot and killed in the afternoon of Friday, February 28, 2026. The city of Sanford, North Carolina, is in sorrow. The event took place in the 1200 block of Bland Circle, a residential area in Lee County, at around 3:45 p.m. Griffin was found laying in a driveway with a gunshot wound to his chest by Sanford Police Department officers who had responded to allegations of a shooting.
Emergency medical personnel attempted life-saving measures, but Griffin was pronounced dead at the scene. The area was quickly secured as investigators began collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses. The shooting, which occurred in broad daylight, marked a deeply unsettling moment for the community and prompted an urgent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the violence.
Authorities identified 19-year-old Deshon James Smith, also of Sanford, as the suspect in the case. Smith voluntarily surrendered to police on March 2, 2026, and was arrested without incident. He was charged with murder and taken before a Lee County magistrate, where he was ordered held without bond. His first court appearance was scheduled for March 3, 2026.
The investigation also led to the arrest of another individual, 19-year-old Savannah Birdwell, who was charged with failure to report a felony and tampering with physical evidence. Police have not disclosed the motive behind the shooting or the nature of the relationship between Griffin and Smith, but the charges suggest a broader context involving multiple parties and possible concealment of key details.
Jabar Griffin was remembered by friends and family as a kind-hearted and promising young man. His death has left a deep void in the lives of those who knew him, and tributes have poured in across social media. Community members have expressed sorrow and frustration, calling for unity and renewed efforts to address youth violence and promote safer neighborhoods in Sanford.
As the legal process unfolds, the Sanford Police Department continues to urge anyone with additional information to come forward. The loss of Jabar Griffin has left a lasting impact on the community, serving as a painful reminder of the fragility of life and the urgent need for accountability and peace in local neighborhoods.
