Police searching for suspect after man shot, killed inside Puyallup barber shop

PUYALLUP, Wash. — Puyallup police are searching for a suspect after a barber was shot and killed as he was giving a haircut to a child on Wednesday evening.

Just after 5 p.m., officers responded to a reported shooting at JQ Barber, a barber shop in the 100 block of East Stewart Street.

Witnesses say the suspect entered the barber shop, which has separate booths, then headed directly to the victim’s booth and shot him multiple times.

Upon arriving at the scene, officers requested the assistance of Central Pierce Fire & Rescue.

Fire crews arrived just moments later and determined that the victim was dead.

The victim, 43, has been identified as the barbershop’s owner.

There was an 8-year-old in the barber chair at the time of the shooting, according to Capt. Ryan Portmann.

That child was uninjured in the shooting.

The suspect fled the area on foot following the shooting.

Officers searched for the suspect, aided by a K9, but did not locate him.

The suspect is 5 feet, 8 inches tall, and was seen wearing black pants, a black jacket and possibly a mask, according to police.

The investigation into this incident is being led by the Puyallup Police Department’s Investigative Services Unit.

Police are asking anyone who lives or works in the area to check their security cameras for anyone matching the suspect’s description.

Anyone who believes they have a video of the suspect is asked to contact the Puyallup Police Department tip line at 253-770-3343 or email tips@puyallupwa.gov.

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