Wilmington teen pleads guilty to second-degree murder in shooting death of girlfriend

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — An 18-year-old Wilmington man has been sentenced to more than 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder in the shooting death of a teenage girl.

On Wednesday, Jordan James pleaded guilty to the second-degree murder of Makayla Gibbs, 17, also of Wilmington. Senior Resident Superior Court Judge R. Kent Harrell sentenced James to up to nearly 14 years in prison.

According to court records, Gibbs was shot inside James’ home on Aug. 31, 2023. Investigators said there were no eyewitnesses to the shooting, but James’ sister reported hearing a gunshot and told authorities there had been no arguing before the shot was fired.

Authorities said Gibbs and James were in a dating relationship at the time of the shooting.

In the days leading up to the incident, investigators said witnesses and digital evidence showed James had been seen pointing a loaded firearm at other juveniles.

Because James was a minor at the time of the offense, the case was initially charged in Juvenile Court. However, the severity of the second-degree murder charge required the case to be transferred to Superior Court, where sentencing took place this week.

Prosecutors said James had no adult criminal history for sentencing purposes and received a sentence in the presumptive range for second-degree murder.