A teacher and basketball coach at a school in North Carolina was killed during a shooting after trying to rob the home of a Mexican member of the drug cartel, authorities said Wednesday.
Barney Dale Harris and his brother-in-law, Steven Alexander Stewart Jr., are accused of robbing a suspected stash house belonging to a member of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, one of the world’s most powerful drug trafficking organizations, last Thursday. Alryance County Sheriff Terry Johnson told a news conference.
Investigators determined that Harris and Stewart had broken into Alonso Beltra Lara’s garage and were waiting for him to return, according to the sheriff. When the man returned home, a shooting broke out that resulted in the deaths of Harris and Lara, Johnson said.
Delegates responded to several calls of gunfire at about 1 a.m. at the residence at 1000 Street of Wyatt Road in Green Level, about 30 miles northwest of Greensboro, according to the sheriff’s office. Officers found the bodies of Harris, who was pronounced dead at the scene, and Lara, who was taken to a hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries, authorities said.
“It was almost like an old Western shootout,” Johnson said. No other injuries were reported, but three other trailers were hit by bullets.
According to the sheriff, Harris was shot several times with a bulletproof vest, gloves and a face mask. Lara, whose hands and feet were tied, was shot twice in the back of the head.
During the investigation, deputies seized five firearms, about $ 7,000 in cash and 1.2 kilograms of cocaine, authorities said.
Stewart, 32, was arrested Sunday in connection with the shooting after a search of his Wadesboro home “found related items related to the crime scene,” Johnson said. According to authorities, he was charged with first-degree murder, first burglary and possession of a firearm in connection with the shooting.
He is being held without charge at Alamance County Jail.
Attempts to reach Stewart by telephone Thursday were unsuccessful. It was unclear if he had a lawyer.
The Federal Drug Enforcement Administration and the State Bureau of Investigation are assisting with the investigation. Authorities are also looking for Juan Daniel Salina Lara on a charge of cocaine trafficking.
Harris, 40, taught Spanish and coached basketball and track at Union Academy Charter School in Monroe, the school’s website said, NBC affiliate WRAL reported.
“The RA community regrets the unexpected loss of teacher and coach Barney Harris,” the school said on Facebook on Saturday, according to the station. “UA students, staff and families are asked to wear UA Spirit Wear on Monday 12 April. to celebrate the life of Coach Barney Harris, whose motto, ‘All Love … No Fear’, will forever be a part of who we are as a school. ‘
Since Thursday, the Facebook post has meanwhile been removed, and his name no longer appears on the school’s website.
The Union Academy Charter School did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
