Second man arrested in Martin card game shooting
August 31st, 2009 by Jason SchultzMartin County sheriff’s deputies today arrested a man who they say shot was an extremely sore loser after a card game this weekend.
Leon Barnett
Leon Barnett, 18, of Stuart, was arrested on attempted second degree murder and robbery charges after he shot 19-year-old Brandon Thorne around 6 a.m. Saturday following an all-night card game, according to a Martin County Sheriff’s Office report.
Thorne was playing cards with a group of people including Barnett and his brother, 19-year-old Leaustin Barnett, at Leaustin Bartnett’s home in the 5700 block of Colee Avenue. Thorne won several hundreds dollars from the other players, with Leon Barnett losing the most money.
According to the report Thorne told deputies that Leon Barnett became agitated so he went outside to leave. Both Barnett’s came outside and Leon Barnett threatened Thorne with a gun, demanding his money back. Thorne asked Leaustin Barnett to take the gun away from his brother and Leaustin Barnett said he didn’t want to get involved, according to the report.
Thorne threw some money at Leon Barnett and ran away, calling his brother, Michael Morris, to come pick him up, according to the report. As Morris pulled up at the corner of Southeast Mercedes Avenue and Southeast Dell Street to pick up Thorne, both Barnetts approached the car and stole Thorne’s cell phone, money and keys.
Thorne told deputies he ran away on foot and saw both Barnetts shooting at his brother’s car and himself. Thorne was hit in the leg as he ran away, according to the report. Leaustin Bartnett was arrested shortly after the incident but Leon Barnett was not located until today.
Leaustin Barnett
Both Barnetts are now in the Martin County Jail charged with attempted second degree murder and robbery.
Anyone with information on the incident can call Det. Bill Jones at 772-220-7060 or Treasure Coast CrimeStoppers at 800-273-8477.
Subscribe to TCoastTalk's RSS Feed
Browse the photo galleries here
September 2nd, 2009 at 9:36 am
All night card game?? I take it these asshats don’t work. What is up in Stuart?
September 2nd, 2009 at 3:22 pm
Oh, they work all right. They spend the day sleeping, eating, playing Madden on the xbox, then they go out for a little stealing, robbing and pimping. Followed by all night cards and more robbery. That can really make a guy stressed out. I think they need a vacation and it appears that the good folks of Martin County have a nice hotel for them….
September 3rd, 2009 at 4:24 pm
I hear you KM! Probably can’t read or write either. Nice mugshots boys!