National Guardsman Arrested for Plotting Revenge Murder of Mother’s Killer

A National Guardsman has been arrested for attempting to hire a hitman and purchasing multiple guns in an elaborate plot to seek revenge on the man who caused his mother’s death in a car accident nearly eight years ago. Rhett Michael Barlow, 22, was taken into custody at Fort Liberty on January 6th after soliciting the first-degree murder of Donald Caulder, Jr., according to a statement from the Wake Forest Police Department.

Plot Uncovered

Barlow’s plan to hire a hitman was discovered when an arrest warrant issued on January 5th revealed that he had attempted to hire someone to kill Caulder on November 28, 2023. Additionally, on the same day, Barlow purchased an AR-15 Springfield Rifle and another firearm, as revealed by prosecutors on Monday.

Seeking Justice for His Mother

Barlow had also requested a transfer within the Army to be stationed closer to Caulder. The motive behind Barlow’s actions stems from the fatal motor vehicle crash that took his mother’s life. Michelle Barlow was killed on March 22, 2016, when Caulder, driving a dump truck, failed to slow down and collided with her minivan on Capital Boulevard/US 1 in Wake Forest.

Past Legal Proceedings

Following the accident, Caulder was arrested and charged with misdemeanor death by motor vehicle. He pleaded guilty ten months later and received a suspended sentence with 12 months probation. Authorities believe that driver fatigue or distraction contributed to the fatal crash.

Arrest and Charges

Rhett Barlow, a member of the 130th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade and a guardsman since 2019, was arrested by the US Army Criminal Investigation Division and handed over to the Wake Forest police. He is currently being held at the Wake County Detention Center on a $1 million bond, facing a first-degree felony charge. The individual whom Barlow attempted to hire will not face charges as he reported the incident to the police.

Legal Proceedings

During his initial court appearance, Barlow was ordered to remain in jail on the $1 million bond and undergo a mental health assessment. A disposition hearing is scheduled for January 29th.

Similar Incidents

This case is not the first instance of a member of the National Guard being involved in a murder-for-hire plot. In April, a Tennessee Air National Guardsman was arrested for attempting to hire a hitman through a fake website called “Rentahitman.com.”