Forsyth County Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Illegally Possessing a Firearm that was Used During a Highway Shooting Spree

GREENSBORO - A Winston-Salem, North Carolina man was sentenced today in Greensboro to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to a possession of a firearm as a previously convicted felon, announced United States Attorney Dan Bishop of the Middle District of North Carolina (MDNC).

JOHN FRANKLIN BARROW, JR., aged 43, was sentenced to 180 months imprisonment plus 3 years post release supervision by the Honorable Catherine C. Eagles, Chief United States District Judge in the United States District Court for the MDNC.

According to court records, on August 1, 2024, at approximately 2:42 p.m., an eyewitness called 911 to report that he had just witnessed a driver, later identified as BARROW, shoot into a semi-truck as it was traveling on 1-40, causing the truck to go off the road and crash into the tree line. The driver of the semi-truck, who suffered a gunshot wound to the head and shoulder, was treated for life-threatening injuries. He ultimately survived. When later interviewed by law enforcement, the driver stated he did not know BARROW. BARROW is also linked to another shooting that occurred on I-40 shortly afterwards in which he shot towards a truck. The driver was not shot but his vehicle sustained damage as a result of the shooting. That driver also informed law enforcement that he did not know BARROW.

Based on eyewitness information, officers responded to a motel in Winston-Salem where they encountered BARROW, armed with a loaded firearm in his pants pocket. BARROW was placed under arrest. During a search of his vehicle, officers recovered approximately 9 cartridge casings and approximately 26 additional live rounds.

BARROW's criminal record dates back to 2002. Prior to his arrest in this case, BARROW received several felony convictions, including Felony Larceny of a Firearm, Felony Conspiracy to Sell Fentanyl, Felony Attempted Breaking and Entering a Building, Felony Manufacturing Marijuana, Felony Obtaining Property by False Pretense, Felony Larceny from the Person, and Felony Attempted Possession of a Firearm by Felon.

BARROW pleaded guilty on April 16, 2026, to being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8).

On May 15, 2026, BARROW was sentenced in Davie County to two consecutive 144-to-185-month sentences for Felony Discharging a Weapon into Occupied Property Causing Serious Bodily Injury and Felony Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill Inflicting Serious Bodily Injury, stemming from the shooting of the semi-truck driver.

The case was investigated by the Winston-Salem Police Department, Davie County Sherriff's Office, Forsyth County Sherriff's Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Tracy M. Williams-Durham and Randall S. Galyon.

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