Man tied to drug cartel shootout that killed local teacher arrested in Greensboro

ALAMANCE COUNTY, N.C. — Authorities have arrested and charged a man wanted for months in a shootout that left a popular Union County teacher and another man dead.

Gar-yon-ded-weh Stepney, 41, was arrested on murder charges stemming from the deadly April 8 shootout in Alamance County.

Stepney was considered armed and dangerous but was placed into custody on Monday after he was found in Greensboro. He is believed to have been involved in the double homicide on Wyatt Road in Green Level.

Union Academy Spanish teacher and coach Barney Harris, his brother-in-law, Steven Alexander Stewart and members of the Sinaloa Cartel were involved in the gunfight.

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Harris was shot to death and died at the scene of the alleged drug house in the mobile home park. He was wearing a bulletproof vest but it did not stop the high-caliber firepower from the cartel.

Alonso Beltran Lara, 18, an alleged member of the cartel, was also shot and killed. Alamance County Sheriff Terry Johnson said Lara was allegedly a drug runner who lived in the trailer with one other person.

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Stepney was charged Monday with first-degree murder and did not get a bond. He will be taken to a district court judge on Tuesday.

More charges are possible and the investigation is ongoing.

Sheriff: Union County teacher, coach killed in shootout with Mexican drug cartelo

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