While most folks spend their weekends binge-watching true crime shows, Darrell Richard Barnes, a 52-year-old Fredericton resident, finds himself starring in his own peculiar legal drama after allegedly turning a quiet day in Geary into an impromptu shooting gallery.
Barnes, who's managed to perfect the art of playing hard-to-get with both his lawyer and local law enforcement, stands accused of taking pot shots at one Dustin Madden, though he insists it's all a misunderstanding. You've got to admire the creative career pivot from law-abiding citizen to alleged marksman, even if the resume update wasn't entirely voluntary.
The Brunswick Street resident has apparently decided that court appearances are optional social engagements, prompting Fredericton's finest to issue a warrant for his arrest. It's worth noting that Barnes' interpretation of "ghosting" has exceeded typical social media standards, graduating to full-blown missing person status.
Our reluctant protagonist faces a colorful bouquet of charges, including illegal firearms possession and the rather frowned-upon practice of pointing rifles at people – specifically Mr. Madden, who probably didn't include "human target practice" in his 2023 bucket list. His recent video conference from jail suggests he's finally been located, though his denials remain steadfast.
While Barnes maintains his innocence with the determination of a cat denying responsibility for knocked-over houseplants, he'll have his chance to present his case in February 2025. That is, assuming law enforcement can locate him before then, as they're currently engaged in what appears to be the world's least successful game of hide-and-seek.
Local authorities, meanwhile, juggle public safety concerns with the delicate task of finding someone who's seemingly mastered the art of invisibility. They've enlisted public assistance in their search, though one might wonder if Barnes has simply discovered a portal to another dimension where court summons don't exist.
In the meantime, Fredericton residents can rest assured that this case serves as a reminder that sometimes the most compelling crime dramas aren't on Netflix – they're unfolding right in their own backyard, complete with missing defendants and concerned police officers searching for answers.
