49-year-old man convicted of robbing his former employer and shooting three victims

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A 49-year-old Charlotte man will serve the next 34 years in prison for committing an armed robbery on his former employer in July 2021, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

At approximately 10:15 p.m. on July 26, 2021, Robert Barringer shot and killed three victims – an employee, his wife and a security guard – at Fish House North, an adult arcade game business located off North Tryon Street.

Barringer shot the victims as he tried to force his way into the store and continued shooting at them after entering, officials said. He stole $3,500 and fled the scene before police arrived.

The three victims were seriously injured by gunfire.

The victims told police that Barringer was a former employee who had been fired a month earlier, according to a news release.

Officers recovered 17 shell casings and found several bullet holes inside the business, officials said.

Barringer was arrested two days later, on July 28, at a Charlotte hotel.

In August 2022, he was convicted of obstruction of commerce by robbery and use, carrying and possession of a firearm during and in connection with a crime of violence.

Barringer will serve 412 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release.