Man who shot semi truck driver in head and shoulder on North Carolina interstate sentenced to prison

A man was sentenced to prison after a North Carolina “highway shooting spree” that left a truck driver with life-threatening injuries in 2024.

On July 28, 2026 John Franklin Barrow Jr. was sentenced in Greensboro to 15 years in prison to be followed by three years of post release supervision, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of North Carolina.

In April 2026, Barrow pleaded guilty to a possession of a firearm as a previously convicted felon.

In May 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 for shooting a semi truck driver, authorities said.

Truck Driver Suffered Life-Threatening Injuries During Interstate Shooting

The shooting occurred shortly before 3 p.m. on August 1, 2024, in Davie County, North Carolina.

Officials say that an eyewitness called 911 after watching a suspect later identified as Barrow shoot at a semi truck traveling on I-40, causing the truck to leave the interstate and crash into a tree line.

The truck driver was shot in the head and shoulder and was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries.

The truck driver, who ultimately survived, later told police he did not know Barrow.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office said that Barrow was linked to another shooting on I-40 shortly afterwards. This shooting resulted in damage to a truck but no injuries. This driver also told police he did not know Barrow.

Following the shootings, police were able to trace Barrow to a motel in Winston-Salem, where officers encountered him with a loaded gun in his pocket. A search of Barrow’s vehicle uncovered 9 cartridge casings and approximately 26 additional live rounds.

Barrow has multiple felony convictions dating back to 2002 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.

The Davie County Sheriff’s Office filed charges of discharging a firearm into an occupied vehicle and attempted murder against Barrow in the days after the shooting.

Agencies assessing with the investigation include the Winston-Salem Police Department, Davie County Sherriff’s Office, Forsyth County Sherriff’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.