ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — New details released in a probable cause affidavit are shedding light on what investigators say led up to the fatal shooting of a Fort Pierce art teacher.
Affidavit reveals new details in fatal shooting of Fort Pierce teacher. CBS12’s Paige Meyer reports.
Deputies with the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office say 41-year-old Dale Andrew Mincey is charged with first-degree premeditated murder in the death of his uncle, 66-year-old Andre Leonard Barnes.
Investigators say Mincey shot Barnes with a rifle around 3:30 p.m. last Tuesday at a home in the 2700 block of Essex Drive before being taken into custody at the scene. St. Lucie County Fire District crews responded, rendered aid to Barnes and transported him to a hospital, where he later died.
Detectives with the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office (SLCSO) are investigating a fatal shooting on Essex Drive. on Tuesday afternoon. WPEC)
According to the probable cause affidavit, Mincey had spent days before the shooting telling friends and relatives he believed Barnes was going to kill him. Witnesses told detectives Mincey wanted people to stay with him and had stayed awake the night before watching Barnes. However, multiple witnesses told investigators Barnes had never threatened Mincey and, while the two had a strained relationship, they were not aware of any immediate danger.
CBS12 is also learning new details about the rifle investigators say was used in the shooting. According to the affidavit, Mincey had talked about buying an AR-style rifle months earlier, later purchased one after winning money through sports betting and told relatives he wanted it to prepare for a possible “zombie apocalypse.” Detectives say he practiced firing the rifle on July 4, just days before the shooting.
Affidavit reveals new details in fatal shooting of Fort Pierce teacher
Investigators also questioned Mincey’s claim that he could not remember the shooting. According to the affidavit, detectives said Mincey was able to recall other detailed events surrounding the day, which they described as inconsistent with his reported memory loss. Friends also told investigators Mincey had a strong memory and no history of prolonged memory loss.
The affidavit states a witness heard a single gunshot and then found Mincey sitting with the rifle. The witness told detectives Mincey did not respond when asked what happened, prompting the witness to run outside and call 911.
Affidavit reveals new details in fatal shooting of Fort Pierce teacher
Detectives also obtained Mincey’s cellphone and extracted multiple videos recorded the day before the shooting. Investigators cited those videos as part of the probable cause, although much of that section of the affidavit remains redacted.
The sheriff’s office previously said Mincey was initially being held on active Broward County felony warrants for dealing in stolen property and false verification to a pawn broker while detectives worked with the State Attorney’s Office to determine whether additional charges were warranted.
Barnes had been an art teacher with St. Lucie Public Schools since 2017 and most recently taught at Samuel S. Gaines Academy of Emerging Technologies.
A Fort Pierce man was arrested Saturday, four days after investigators say he shot and killed of a beloved St. Lucie County art teacher. (YouTube)
The homicide investigation remains active. Anyone with information is asked to contact the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division at (772) 462-7300.