South Florida Man Arrested After Multi-County Shooting Spree

Dennard Barnes, 36, charged in two Miami murders and a Cocoa shooting

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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Authorities have released body camera footage of the arrest of Dennard Barnes, a 36-year-old South Florida man accused of a string of shootings spanning from Miami-Dade County to Brevard County. Barnes is charged in connection with two murders in Miami Gardens and North Miami, as well as an additional shooting in Cocoa.

Why it matters

The multi-county shooting spree has raised concerns about public safety and the ability of law enforcement to quickly apprehend a suspect moving between jurisdictions. The case highlights the need for improved coordination between local police departments when dealing with violent crime.

The details

Police said Barnes was apprehended after allegedly trying to ram officers with his van. Newly released body camera footage shows officers surrounding Barnes, using a K-9 and tasers as he resisted arrest. Miami-Dade police had issued an alert for Barnes' white van hours earlier. Cocoa police officers said Barnes shot a man in the chest on Feb. 27 at an apartment complex, and they chased him in the van before he drove back to the crime scene.

  • On Feb. 27, Barnes allegedly shot a man in the chest in Cocoa.
  • Last week, Barnes was arrested in Brevard County.

The players

Dennard Barnes

A 36-year-old South Florida man charged in two Miami murders and a Cocoa shooting.

Cocoa Police Department

The police department that responded to the shooting in Cocoa and chased Barnes in his van.

Miami-Dade Police Department

The police department that issued an alert for Barnes' white van hours before his arrest.

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What’s next

Barnes is now facing nearly 20 charges related to the violent spree. Investigators continue to piece together the timeline and circumstances of the attacks.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges law enforcement faces in apprehending suspects who commit crimes across multiple jurisdictions. It underscores the need for improved coordination and information-sharing between local police departments to quickly respond to and prevent such violent crime sprees.