Jesse James McDowell, a 20-year-old male from Fayetteville, NC, was tragically killed on January 21, 2022. The incident occurred at a residence on Grouper Drive in Fayetteville, where McDowell was found with a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene by the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office.
The investigation revealed that McDowell was shot by his neighbor, Amaru Edward Barnes, a 19-year-old male from Fayetteville. Barnes was arrested and charged with first-degree murder.
He is currently being held at the Cumberland County Detention Center without bail. The shooting happened late at night, around 11:26 p.m., during a snowstorm.
This case marked the first homicide investigation in Cumberland County for the year 2022. The authorities have not disclosed any further details about the motive behind the shooting or any additional suspects involved. Barnes' first court appearance was scheduled for January 24, 2022. The investigation into McDowell's death is ongoing, and anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office.
