On February 16, 2024, Wesley Barber, a 62-year-old man from Kentucky, was fatally shot along with his brother, James “Mick” Barber Sr., 61, at James Sr.’s residence in unincorporated Largo, Florida. The incident occurred just before the brothers were scheduled to leave for a 10-day vacation to the Virgin Islands, a trip they had been planning for months.
Family members became concerned when James Sr.
and Wesley Barber failed to show up for their vacation and did not respond to phone calls or texts. The family's worry was heightened due to James Sr.'s son, James McKinley “Mick” Barber Jr., having a history of mental health issues and the presence of at least one gun in the house. When deputies from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office arrived at the residence on Smoketree Court, they found James Sr.’s vehicle in the driveway with the trunk open and what appeared to be blood pooling under the front door.
Upon entering the house, deputies discovered both James Sr. and Wesley Barber dead, each having been shot multiple times. Surveillance camera audio captured the gunshots at approximately 6:07 a.m. on the day of the incident, followed by James Jr. yelling expletives. James Jr., 28, had left the house before the deputies arrived but was later arrested by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in Tampa on Saturday and is being held without bond on two counts of first-degree murder.
Wesley Barber was visiting his brother James Sr. from Kentucky before they were set to leave for their vacation. James Jr. was supposed to stay behind and take care of the family dog. The family had expressed concerns about James Jr.'s mental health history, which included being taken into protective custody under Florida’s Baker Act about six months prior to the incident. After his release, James Jr. had purchased guns, which added to the family's concerns.
The community, particularly the disc golf community, was deeply affected by the loss of James Sr. and Wesley Barber. James Sr. was known for his positive and cheerful demeanor, often boosting morale and teaching others the sport of disc golf. A memorial round was held at Sheffield Park in Oldsmar, where friends and fellow disc golf players gathered to honor James Sr.'s memory.
Wesley Barber is survived by his three daughters and four grandchildren in Kentucky. The incident has left the family and community in shock and devastation, with many struggling to understand the circumstances that led to the tragic deaths of the two brothers.
