A beloved St. Lucie County art teacher is being remembered for the impact he had on generations of students after investigators identified him as the victim in a homicide Tuesday in Fort Pierce.The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office said 66-year-old Andre L. Barnes, of Fort Pierce, was found dead inside a home in the 2700 block of Essex Drive Tuesday afternoon.On Wednesday, investigators identified 41-year-old Dale A. Mincey as the suspect. Detectives said Mincey remains in custody, and any charges related to the homicide will be determined as the investigation progresses.Investigators have not released a motive or said what relationship, if any, existed between Barnes and Mincey. However, the SLCSO said the shooting was an isolated incident. Following Barnes’ identification, the St. Lucie Public School District confirmed to WPBF 25 News that he had worked as an art teacher since 2017. He first taught at West Gate K-8 School before most recently teaching at Samuel S. Gaines Academy of Emerging Technologies.In a statement, the district wrote: “We are saddened to learn of his passing and extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, students, colleagues, and all those who knew him.”As news of Barnes’ death spread, former students, coworkers and loved ones shared memories of the educator, describing him as a talented artist and compassionate teacher who touched countless lives.Tramá Neal, who married into Barnes’ family, said he was known to loved ones as “Uncle Andre” and immediately shared his passion for teaching and art with everyone he met.”Big smile, just big smile. He, off the bat, was like, ‘I’m an art teacher. I do this for the community,’ and he already had his pencils and pens and colors and all his little art supplies,” Neal said.Neal said she’ll always remember how he treated her family when they did art projects together and his encouraging, gentle and calm presence. Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WPBF 25 News”If you got excited, he got excited. I just got that feeling of motivation where he just was one of those people that uplifts versus tears down. He was one of those, let’s try again, art teachers. Let’s try again, individuals. Let’s see what can work something better. You might think that piece is ugly, but I think it’s amazing,” Neal said.She said seeing the outpouring of support from the community has been comforting during an incredibly difficult time.”It’s just sad that he’s no longer here, but reading everything, the comments, I see that he was loved by many. He was appreciated by many. People were encouraging. It was just, it was good. He was a good person,” she told WPBF.As detectives continue working to determine exactly what happened, Neal hopes Barnes will be remembered for the positivity he brought to others.Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.”He’s a beacon of light. He’s an encourager. He’s a motivator. Even as an educator and a teacher, he’s that outside of that role. So that’s what makes him who he was, who he is,” Neal said.WPBF 25 News also spoke with several of Barnes’ former colleagues, who described him as a gifted artist, devoted teacher, and kind-hearted person whose legacy will live on through the many students and lives he influenced.
FORT PIERCE, Fla. —
A beloved St. Lucie County art teacher is being remembered for the impact he had on generations of students after investigators identified him as the victim in a homicide Tuesday in Fort Pierce.
The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office said 66-year-old Andre L. Barnes, of Fort Pierce, was found dead inside a home in the 2700 block of Essex Drive Tuesday afternoon.
Hearst Owned
Andre L Barnes was identified as the victim in a shooting in Fort Pierce.
On Wednesday, investigators identified 41-year-old Dale A. Mincey as the suspect. Detectives said Mincey remains in custody, and any charges related to the homicide will be determined as the investigation progresses.
Investigators have not released a motive or said what relationship, if any, existed between Barnes and Mincey. However, the SLCSO said the shooting was an isolated incident.
Following Barnes’ identification, the St. Lucie Public School District confirmed to WPBF 25 News that he had worked as an art teacher since 2017. He first taught at West Gate K-8 School before most recently teaching at Samuel S. Gaines Academy of Emerging Technologies.
In a statement, the district wrote: “We are saddened to learn of his passing and extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, students, colleagues, and all those who knew him.”
As news of Barnes’ death spread, former students, coworkers and loved ones shared memories of the educator, describing him as a talented artist and compassionate teacher who touched countless lives.
Tramá Neal, who married into Barnes’ family, said he was known to loved ones as “Uncle Andre” and immediately shared his passion for teaching and art with everyone he met.
“Big smile, just big smile. He, off the bat, was like, ‘I’m an art teacher. I do this for the community,’ and he already had his pencils and pens and colors and all his little art supplies,” Neal said.
Neal said she’ll always remember how he treated her family when they did art projects together and his encouraging, gentle and calm presence.
Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WPBF 25 News
“If you got excited, he got excited. I just got that feeling of motivation where he just was one of those people that uplifts versus tears down. He was one of those, let’s try again, art teachers. Let’s try again, individuals. Let’s see what can work something better. You might think that piece is ugly, but I think it’s amazing,” Neal said.
She said seeing the outpouring of support from the community has been comforting during an incredibly difficult time.
“It’s just sad that he’s no longer here, but reading everything, the comments, I see that he was loved by many. He was appreciated by many. People were encouraging. It was just, it was good. He was a good person,” she told WPBF.
As detectives continue working to determine exactly what happened, Neal hopes Barnes will be remembered for the positivity he brought to others.
Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.
“He’s a beacon of light. He’s an encourager. He’s a motivator. Even as an educator and a teacher, he’s that outside of that role. So that’s what makes him who he was, who he is,” Neal said.
WPBF 25 News also spoke with several of Barnes’ former colleagues, who described him as a gifted artist, devoted teacher, and kind-hearted person whose legacy will live on through the many students and lives he influenced.