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Sheriff still searching for shooter
by Johnny Whitfield, Wake Weekly Associate Editor
December 16, 2004
Wake County Sheriff's deputies are still searching for a man they believe shot a Wake Forest woman.
Juan Pablo Gayton Barbosa, 29, is wanted for assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill. Investigators believe he shot Natasha Vale Minear, 36, of 2901 Locust Tree Lane, Wake Forest. The Dec. 8 incident occurred at about 6 p.m. at Minear's home. Barbosa is a Hispanic male who stands about 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs 120 lbs. Barbosa was last seen wearing black pants and a black jacket. Barbosa is considered by law enforcement officers to be armed and dangerous. Investigators said Barbosa is currently unemployed and they don't believe he has any family in the area. After she was shot, Minear was able to run to a neighbor's home to call for help. On Tuesday, a handful of dogs, still being cared for, stood by in pens in front of Minear's home. The house is located in a remote area off Ligon Mill. The closest house to Minear's is through the woods to the east. A child's jungle gym sits unused in the front yard. Deputies focused their investigation on Barbosa almost immediately, listing him as a suspect at the same time they reported the incident publicly. This isn't Barbosa's first brush with the law. In August, 2003, he was convicted in Wake County of second-degree kidnapping and two counts of assault on a female and sentenced to two and a half years of supervised probation. Wake County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Phyllis Stephens said investigators are searching for Barbosa locally and internationally. "We have entered him into NCIC ( a national criminal database) and we've contacted the Mexican consulate to let them know we are looking for him," Stephens said. Although investigators are trying to cover all their bases, Stephens said it is unlikely that Barbosa would turn to the consulate for help. "I wouldn't think he would go there if he wanted to leave the country, but with their vast resources, they might know of something that we don't know," Stephens said. Minear operates a dog kennel behind her home, and Barbosa is believed to have worked for her in the past. Minear underwent surgery immediately after the shooting at Wake Medical Center. Stephens said Minear is recovering well from her injuries. Anyone with information about Barbosa's whereabouts is asked to contact the Wake County Sheriff's Office at 856-6800.
Last Updated On: December 16, 2004
Copyright 2004 The Wake Weekly