Washington Barbershop Owner Shot, Killed in His Own Shop While Cutting 8-Year-Old Child's Hair

A barbershop owner in Washington state was gunned down and killed in his shop while he was cutting the hair of an 8-year-old child.

A statement from the Puyallup Police Department said the murder happened around 5:09 p.m. Wednesday in Puyallup, Washington, about 30 miles south of Seattle.

According to ABC News, officers were called to JQ's Barbershop after hearing that the barber had been shot multiple times. Authorities said the shop was occupied at the time of the incident by several individuals now helping with the investigation.

Witnesses claimed that the gunman entered the establishment and proceeded immediately to the station, where the barbershop owner was cutting the hair of an 8-year-old child. The witnesses also said the shooter got to the booth and shot the victim several times.

The suspect, described as 5'8" tall and wearing a black jacket, black pants, and a mask," reportedly fled the scene on foot, according to police.

Washington Barbershop Owner Died at the Scene

The murder incident did not hurt the child, but Jose Velez, 43, owner of JQ's Barbershop in Tacoma, Washington, died at the scene. Police officers immediately asked Central Pierce Fire and Rescue for assistance when they arrived at the crime scene.

Central Pierce Fire and Rescue arrived at the location shortly after the request and determined that the individual was deceased," the Puyallup Police Department said.

Authorities moved promptly to perform a thorough search of the area, aided by a police canine unit, but they could not track down the offender.

Police Searching the Killer of Washington Barbershop Owner

According to NBC News, the suspect has eluded capture. The Puyallup Police Department's Investigative Services Unit oversees the investigation.

Authorities urged anybody who works or resides in the neighborhood of the shooting to examine their surveillance footage and call them in case they might have caught a glimpse of the killer. Puyallup police investigators think that the barbershop shooting was a targeted attack.

Puyallup Police Department's Captain Ryan Portmann said the murder incident was an isolated incident in which the victim was the intended target and claimed a low threat to the community.

Meanwhile, community members have gathered to pay respects to Velez, K5 reported. Ava, a resident of Puyallup, told the outlet that as tragic as this is for the neighborhood, she is also concerned about the child at the crime scene.

"It's sad for me, and I feel like everybody that lives around here, especially for the little kid that was in there at that time," she said. "He's going to be traumatized for a long time."

Portmann noted that he knows some people in the community might feel unsafe when something like this happens, but he reassured the public that authorities are doing everything to find the killer.

"You should be able to go to work, cut a child's hair, and have a nice time while you're doing that," he said.

Puyallup Police Chief Scott Engle is reportedly set to meet with local business owners on Tuesday to know what can be done to make them feel safe.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Barbershop Owner Gunned Down and Murdered While Cutting 8-Year-Old's Hair - From ABC7