Detectives from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office assigned to the Robbery/Homicide unit provided an update regarding the double homicide investigation in Unincorporated Largo.
Note: The information below was reprinted from the press release posted by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office on February 18, 2024.
According to detectives, on Friday, February 16, 2024, deputies assigned to the Patrol Operations Bureau responded to 7981 Smoketree Court to check the welfare of the victims, identified as 61-year-old James McKinley Barber, Sr. (James Sr.) and 62-year-old Wesley Barber, who are brothers, after family members grew concerned due to both failing to show for a family vacation.
It was learned Wesley was down visiting James Sr. and James McKinley Barber, Jr. (James Jr.), from Kentucky before leaving for the vacation. James Jr. was to stay behind to care for the family dog.
Detectives state that after James Sr. and Wesley failed to show up, the family members attempted to contact both several times by telephone but could not reach them. The family grew more concerned when they went to James Sr.’s residence and observed James Sr.’s vehicle in the driveway with the trunk open. Family members informed detectives they were concerned due to James Jr.’s mental health history and that they knew there was a firearm in the residence.
When deputies arrived, they observed what appeared to be blood coming from under the front door of the residence. Deputies entered the home and located both James Sr. and Wesley deceased, both suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
Through their investigation, detectives were able to locate surveillance camera audio that captured the murders. At approximately 6:07 a.m., multiple gunshots can be heard. Afterward, a subject who was identified as James Jr. can be heard yelling, “Fuck you. Fuck you. Dead ass don’t give a fuck, bro.”
James Jr. fled the scene before law enforcement arrived.
On February 17, 2024, James Jr. was arrested by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and was transported to the Hillsborough County Jail.
James Jr. is charged with two counts of First-Degree Murder. He was transferred to the Pinellas County Jail on Wednesday, February 21, 2024.
Both James Sr. and Wesley’s next of kin have been notified.
The investigation continues.