A North Carolina professor was killed in a shootout with members of a Mexican drug cartel last week, according to a report.
Barney Harris, who taught and coached basketball at Monroe Union Academy, and his brother-in-law Steven Stewart allegedly tried to steal drugs and cash from a trailer used by the cartel last Thursday when all hell broke loose, according to WTVD. citing authorities.
Harris and Stewart entered the trailer at an Alamance County park, but were soon confronted by alleged 18-year-old cartel member Alonso Lara, the reporter told a news conference County Sheriff Terry Johnson.
Johnson said the in-laws allegedly executed Lara when she refused to tell them where her reservation was hidden.
Then other members of the cartel arrived, sparking an armed battle that left Harris dead.
“Mr. Harris, he had a bulletproof vest, but it did not work with the type of ammunition used, “Johnson told reporters, according to the report.
“They went there to do what was done, except they didn’t think it would pull them back.”
Stewart was arrested after the shooting and charged with murder and armed robbery, according to the report.
Johnson said one of the other residents in the trailer, Daniel Lara, is wanted on suspicion of cocaine trafficking. There is an order for his arrest.
The sheriff said he believes Daniel Lara may have fled to Mexico.
Authorities found approximately two pounds of cocaine and $ 7,000 in the trailer.
Johnson said he worries the cartel could attack.
“I’m still worried about some retaliation because Mexican cartels don’t forget it,” Johnson said.
“They’re going to pay someone again, and that worries me a lot as the sheriff of this county.”