In the afternoon hours of May 13, 2024, a young man's life was cut short in a field in Madison, Tennessee. Kenneth Buford Jr., a 19-year-old male, was fatally shot just after 3 p.m. off North Gallatin Pike near McKinley Street. Following the shooting, he was rushed to Skyline Medical Center, but he ultimately succumbed to his injuries. The investigation into the incident suggested that this was not a random act of violence; authorities believed that the person responsible was someone known to Buford.
Detectives from the Metro Nashville Police Department's Homicide Unit and Specialized Investigations Division began pursuing what they described as strong and active leads in the case. Their investigation was aided by nearby surveillance footage which reportedly captured the tragic events unfolding. The video allegedly showed a suspect, identified as 19-year-old Jaylin Sanford, running toward Kenneth Buford Jr. and firing multiple shots in his direction as Buford attempted to flee. This crucial piece of evidence helped investigators quickly identify their person of interest.
The day after the shooting, the efforts of the Specialized Investigations detectives led them to West Nashville. There, outside an apartment complex, they arrested Jaylin Sanford in connection with the murder of Kenneth Buford Jr. Sanford has since been charged with criminal homicide and attempted criminal homicide for his alleged role in the fatal shooting. Born on March 20, 2005, Kenneth was a graduate of Pearl-Cohn Entertainment Magnet High School who had a passion for creativity, including making art and music.
