N.C. School Teacher Barney Dale Harris Killed During ‘Breaking Bad’-Style Drug Cartel Robbery

Barney Dale Harris, a Spanish teacher and sports coach at Union Academy Charter School in North Carolina, was killed in a Breaking Bad-style attempt to rob a drug cartel.

Harris was killed after he broke into a trailer believed to be a stash house for a Mexican drug cartel in Green Level, North Carolina, local police said a news release.

Harris was pronounced dead at the scene when authorities arrived at 12:52 a.m., Alonso Beltran Lara was found with multiple gunshots wounds at scene and later died in the hospital. Detectives believe that the two men were members of different “criminal enterprises.”

Harris was determined to be part of a criminal organization with his brother-in-law Steven Alexander Stewart, Jr. while Lara was part of the Sinaloa New Generation Cartel.

Lara was shot execution style, with a bullet to the back of his head when Harris ambushed him. According to police, an “old Western shootout” occured between the two before meeting their fates.

Deputies found 1.2 kilograms of cocaine, $7,000 in cash and five guns in the trailer. Thirty shell casings were also discovered inside the home, according to the sheriff’s office.

Union Academy Charter School was “shocked and devastated” by the circumstances around Harris’ death.

“Union Academy’s first priority is caring for and protecting our students and staff,” the school said in a statement to WBTV. “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. Any questions about the investigation should be directed to law enforcement.”

A GoFundMe was set up for Harris’ family as they described as someone who would not be a party to criminal activity. Stewart Jr. was arrested with first-degree murder and first-degree burglary for his participation in the event.