Florida Pastor Dies from Gunshot Fired Nearly 60 Years Earlier

John Henry Barrett
John Henry Barrett, 77, was a longtime pastor and influential member of the Pahokee community who passed away in May. Authorities ruled his death a homicide linked to a decades old shooting.  Facebook

A Florida pastor known for his dedication to his church and his family died of a gunshot wound nearly 60 years after the bullet was fired, a medical examiner says.

The Rev. John Henry Barrett , 77, who served as pastor for the New Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Pahokee for more than three decades, died in May of an infection and complications related to the gunshot wound that partially paralyzed him in 1958.

The Palm Beach Post reports that Barrett is now counted as one of Palm Beach County's 63 homicide victims for 2017.

At age 19, Barrett was shot by a friend during a fight, damaging Barrett's spinal cord, requiring him to walk with a cane. The friend, who was not identified in the medical examiner's report, served time in prison. Court and law enforcement officials told the Post they could not find any records with information about the suspect or the shooting.

Barrett never let his disability define him: in addition to his work as a pastor, he earned a degree from Palm Beach County Junior College and become the first African-American executive director of the Pahokee Housing Authority .

His family told the Post that on the rare occasion Barrett spoke of the shooting, he used it as a way to inspire others; in 1974, he told The Miami Herald that the injury kept him from working in the fields, like many of his friends did - and that might have been a blessing.

"If the accident hadn't happened, I would have spent all of my life as a farm worker," he told the newspaper.

Robert Lee, Terrance Lee's brother, told the Post that the brothers have memories of their great uncle's sermons: "His voice was very commanding," Robert Lee said. "He was handicapped, (but) if you close your eyes and you hear him speak, you wouldn't know that."

He added, "He always told my brother and myself, no matter how dire your circumstances, your mind has the ability to overcome anything. His life is an example."

Terrance Lee, Barrett's great-nephew, said his uncle "never wanted to be looked upon as (being disabled)."

"He wanted to be looked up to as a normal person in society. That's the way he lived his life," he said.

In the days leading up to his death, Barrett reportedly encouraged parishioners to continue building on the church's foundation and to help it grow, Lee said.

"He was a very, very positive individual," Robert Lee said. "He never let his situation or his circumstance determine his potential in life."

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.