ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. — The St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office said it is holding a press conference Tuesday at 3 p.m. on the fatal shooting of Fort Pierce art teacher Andre Leonard Barnes, 66. An additional arrest is expected.
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Dale A. Mincey, 41, a family member of Barnes, was formally charged with first-degree murder Saturday in connection with Barnes' death, the sheriff's office said. Mincey remains in custody at the St. Lucie County Jail and is being held without bond.
The fatal shooting happened July 7 at a residence on the 2700 block of Essex Drive. Deputies responded to the home at around 3:30 p.m. after receiving reports of a person with a gunshot wound. When deputies arrived, they learned a man had shot another man with a rifle. Barnes was taken to a local hospital, where he died.
Barnes 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. The district confirmed his passing and extended condolences to his loved ones.
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Barnes leaves behind three adult children. His family released a statement about his death:
"We are sad to report the loss of our Dad to a senseless act of violence. As this is still an active investigation a deeply painful circumstance that impacts so many people, we ask people to refrain from speculation or public commentary online discussing any other details," the family said.
Former student Caila Coleman, who said Barnes was her 7th-grade teacher in Tallahassee, remembered him as more than just an educator.
"Mr. Barnes was really a pillar of the community to us. I didn't grow up with a dad; some of my friends didn't either. We really looked at him as a father figure," Coleman said.
Coleman said Barnes made a lasting impression that endured well beyond the classroom.
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