Cameron Barnes, a 32-year-old Black man, was killed late on the night of March 17, 2023, when a crowded St. Patrick’s Day celebration at Cocktails and Company in Marion erupted into violence. Shortly after 11 p.m., officers from Marion, Cedar Rapids and Hiawatha and Linn County sheriff’s deputies responded to reports of a shooting. Barnes was struck by gunfire, rushed to a hospital and died of his injuries.

Surveillance video and witness accounts show the confrontation began when Duval Tremont Walker Jr. punched Barnes in the face. The disturbance quickly escalated into a brawl; chairs were thrown and pool cues broken. During the melee a handgun fell to the floor, and investigators say Walker picked it up, moved toward Barnes and fired. Marion police released surveillance images of people in the bar and asked anyone who could identify them to come forward.

Walker was located in Waterloo and arrested on March 29, 2023, and charged with first-degree murder, felon-in-possession and going armed with intent. If anyone was at Cocktails and Company that night or knows more about what happened, please come forward with information.