Brenda Iline Barnes, a 75-year-old White female, was a beloved resident of Exmore, Virginia, known for her kind and loving nature. A dedicated mother and grandmother who sometimes worked three jobs to provide for her family, she was cherished by her friends and community. Despite facing financial hardships, she was described as being rich in the love of her family and friends, always ready with a smile to brighten someone's day.
The tragic events leading to her death unfolded on the
evening of July 3, 2021, at a family gathering at a residence on Deep Creek Road in Onancock. During the gathering, a dispute occurred. In the ensuing violence, Brenda and another individual, 53-year-old Dean Herbert Reid, were fatally shot. When deputies from the Accomack County Sheriff's Office arrived at the scene, they found both Brenda and Dean unresponsive. They were pronounced dead at the scene, and their bodies were taken to the Norfolk Medical Examiner's Office.
The investigation quickly led to a suspect, Brenda's own son, 34-year-old Frederick Marvin Barnes, Jr. It is alleged that he became belligerent after consuming alcohol and shot Dean Reid multiple times before turning the weapon on his mother, shooting her twice in the head. He was also accused of the attempted murder of his sister.
Frederick Barnes, Jr. was arrested and charged with two counts of second-degree murder, one count of attempted murder, and three counts of the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. He was later indicted on several charges, including premeditated murder. Barnes pleaded not guilty to the charges and was held without bond in the Accomack County Jail. His case was scheduled for a jury trial in June 2022.
