Businessman killed in police shootout in Jamaica

KENOSHA CO. (WITI) -- A shootout in Jamaica left a well-known Kenosha County businessman dead. David Barnes, who owns some Cost Cutters stores was a tourist in Jamaica, and was caught in the crossfire as police cornered a fugitive.

52-year-old Barnes owns 11 Cost Cutters hair salons in Kenosha, Racine, Sturtevant and Burlington.

Vacationing in Jamaica this weekend, a Jamaican newspaper reported Barnes was killed in a shootout between police and robbers in Savanna-La-Mar. A Jamaican fugitive was also killed in the gunfight.

The area where Barnes was killed is not frequented by tourists, but those in Kenosha believe he was in the area visiting friends.

Barnes was a motivating force behind the Kenosha Boys & Girls Club -- sitting on the board the past 17 years. He was a past president, and instrumental in fundraising to build a facility.

Several years ago, he and his wife were awarded the Mary Frost Ashley Patron Saint Award for their passionate volunteer work.

Ron Stevens remembers the times Barnes quietly got bikes for kids who couldn't afford them.

"Such a positive guy. He was one of those types of people on the board when there was a little hesitation because this was a big project -- David would ask everybody to sit back and think of the potential, the number of children we can reach if we do this," Stevens said.

Now, those in Kenosha who knew Barnes are waiting for other news: when the body of a beloved friend and community supporter will return home.