Trial begins for man accused of shooting at ‘Repo’ reality show crew

A former school teacher was acting in self-defense in 2011 when he fired three shots in the air to warn off crew members of a reality TV production, his lawyer told a jury Monday afternoon.

But authorities say Carlos Enrique Barron shot at the production crew, with one bullet striking a van belonging to Spike TV’s “Repo Games,” because he mistakenly thought they were there to repossess his vehicle.

Barron of North Las Vegas, whose trial began Monday before District Judge James Bixler, faces seven counts, including five felonies: attempted murder with a deadly weapon, assault with a deadly weapon, attempted battery with a deadly weapon, burglary and carrying a concealed weapon.

If convicted Barron could face 3 to 67 years in prison.

Authorities said at about 9:45 p.m. April 25, 2011, Barron went outside his home in the 2900 block of Vigilante Court, near Azure Avenue and Losee Road, to confront the “Repo Games” production crew, believing they were trying to repossess his vehicle.

The crew was actually looking for a different vehicle at a different home on the street, but vans from the production were parked in front of Barron’s home.

Prosecutors are expected to show video footage from the night of the shooting, which was featured on an episode aired on Spike TV.

Prosecutor Mike Radovcic told a jury during opening arguments that Barron came out of his home and struck a crew member who was in a van.

Barron then drew a handgun and fired three shots at members of the TV crew. One bullet struck one of the production vans, Radovcic said.

The TV crew fled, and North Las Vegas police were called.

Barron was caught escaping over the back wall of his home.

Defense lawyer Richard Tannery said during his opening argument that his client was medicated and asleep when the alarm on his vehicle sounded that night. Barron, who had recently had a vehicle stolen, went outside “because he didn’t know what was going on,” the lawyer said.

Barron was confronted by men from the show, who were cursing at him and threatening to beat him, Tannery said.

Tannery, who hinted his client may testify in his own defense, said Barron fired three shots in the air to scare away the men approaching him.

Since his arrest, Barron has lost his job teaching with the Clark County School District, Tannery said.

North Las Vegas police officer Richard Arnold was the first witness called to testify.

Arnold, who discovered Barron as he climbed over his back wall trying to flee from police, said the defendant cursed at him and asked the officer to shoot him.

Barron was eventually taken into custody by a police dog, Arnold said.

The trial is expected to last through the week.

Barron remains free on bail.

Contact reporter Francis McCabe at fmccabe@review journal.com or 702-380-1039.