Union Academy Coach Killed In Shootout With Drug Cartel In Alamance County

A basketball coach at a Union County high school was killed last week during a shootout with a drug cartel in Alamance County, WBTV reports.

According to the Alamance County Sheriff's Office, deputies arrived at the scene of a reported shooting at a mobile home park in Green Level shortly before 1 a.m. Thursday (April 8). When came to the scene, they found two people had been shot inside one of the trailer homes. The men were later identified as Barney Dale Harris and Alonso Beltran Lara. Harris, a coach at Union Academy Charter School, was pronounced dead at the scene while Lara was taken to a hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

Deputies determined the cause of the shooting stemmed from Harris and another man, Steven Alexander Stewart Jr., attempting to steal money and drugs from a Mexican drug cartel, WCNC reports. The two men reportedly shot and killed Lara, a drug runner for the cartel. Stewart, who survived the encounter, has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder and first-degree burglary.

Union Academy Charter School released a statement after news broke of Harris' death.

"Union Academy's first priority is caring for and protecting our students and staff," the school said in a statement. "Earlier today, law enforcement released details about last week's death of one of our teachers, Barney Dale Harris II. The Union Academy family was shocked and devastated to hear the information and will continue to focus on supporting our students and families."

Photo: Getty Images


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