Barnes, 66, worked as an art teacher for the St. Lucie County School District since 2017, serving at West Gate K-8 and Samuel S. Gaines Academy. He was killed in a shooting Tuesday afternoon near the 2700 block of Essex Drive in Fort Pierce. The shooting led to the arrest of 41-year-old Dale Mincey, a family member of Barnes. Barnes leaves behind three adult children.
Former student Caila Coleman, who said Barnes was her 7th-grade teacher in Tallahassee, remembered him as more than just an educator. Coleman said Barnes was really a pillar of the community and that she and friends who didn't grow up with a dad looked at him as a father figure. Coleman, now 37 years old, said Barnes made an impact on students that was lifelong and that they had kept communication well before social media came around, which says a lot about his character. Coleman and others are calling for justice as the homicide investigation remains ongoing. Barnes's family released a statement saying they are sad to report the loss of their dad to a senseless act of violence and asked people to refrain from speculation or public commentary online as this is still an active investigation and a deeply painful circumstance that impacts so many people.