Murder Suspect Arrested After Trespassing In Local High Schools

UPDATED: Sept. 6, 2:54 PM

A teenage murder suspect was taken into custody on Friday in Raleigh.

WRAL reports that Syncere Pigford, who has an outstanding secure custody order for murder, was taken into custody at around noon near the intersection of N. King Charles Road and Tudor Place. Raleigh Police and Wake County Sheriff’s Office worked together in the arrest.

Pigford’s exact age has not been released, but he is under the age of 18 and is considered a juvenile.

The arrest comes after Pigford was seen on the campuses of Broughton, Enloe and Athens Drive High Schools on Wednesday and Thursday (Sept. 4 and 5).

Wake County Public Schools sent an email to parents early Friday to notify them that additional security would be present at all Raleigh area high schools.

“At each school, administrators promptly identified Pigford as a trespasser and removed him from campus,” the email said. “At that time, they were not aware that he was a suspect in a homicide investigation.”

Pigford was wanted in connection with the shooting death of 24-year-old Serenity Spencer on June 30 near Wendell.

Two other suspects, brothers Xavier Atkinson (19) and Kahlil Atkinson (18), have been arrested and charged with first degree murder. They are currently being held without bond.

Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin released a statement on the arrest.

“We are relieved that this person is in custody, and we are proud to have assisted the Wake County Sheriff’s Office in this search. Like many parents, school staff, students and community members, I am breathing a sigh of relief that we had a peaceful resolution. I would also like to thank the Wake County Public Schools System for its partnership to keep the community safe.”