{"id":339829,"date":"2026-07-14T17:42:08","date_gmt":"2026-07-14T17:42:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/339829\/"},"modified":"2026-07-14T17:42:08","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T17:42:08","slug":"sheriffs-office-to-hold-press-conference-on-death-of-art-teacher-at-3-p-m","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/339829\/","title":{"rendered":"Sheriff’s office to hold press conference on death of art teacher at 3 p.m."},"content":{"rendered":"

ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. \u2014 The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office said it is holding a press conference Tuesday at 3 p.m. on the fatal shooting<\/a> of Fort Pierce art teacher Andre Leonard Barnes, 66. An additional arrest is expected.<\/p>\n

WATCH LIVE AT 3 P.M.<\/p>\n

Dale A. Mincey, 41, a family member of Barnes, was formally charged<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Barnes worked as an art teacher<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

WATCH PREVIOUS COVERAGE:<\/p>\n

Art teacher fatally shot in St. Lucie County; suspect arrested<\/p>\n

Barnes leaves behind three adult children. His family released a statement about his death:<\/p>\n

“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.<\/p>\n

Former student Caila Coleman, who said Barnes was her 7th-grade teacher in Tallahassee, remembered him as more than just an educator.<\/p>\n

“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.<\/p>\n

Coleman said Barnes made a lasting impression that endured well beyond the classroom.<\/p>\n

Read more of WPTV’s coverage below: <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Region St Lucie County<\/p>\n

Suspect in shooting that killed art teacher in St. Lucie County charged<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

Region St Lucie County<\/p>\n

Fort Pierce community mourns art teacher killed in shooting<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

Port St Lucie<\/p>\n

66-year-old man dead after fatal St. Lucie County shooting; suspect in custody<\/p>\n

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