CLEVELAND — Five people were shot at a barbershop in the 4400 block of State Road in Cleveland’s Old Brooklyn neighborhood on Thursday, according to a news release from the Cleveland Division of Police.
At 3:10 p.m., officers responded outside of the IFIXUGLY barbershop for a report of multiple people shot. Four males and a female sustained non-fatal injuries. One male is in critical condition at MetroHealth Medical center for a gunshot wound to the chest, the release said.
Early reports show a man entered the shop and began shooting at people inside, the release said. The shooter then fled the scene in a red four-door vehicle.
Tim Gillespie is the owner of the shop. He said the shop is a place where people go to feel good and his goal is to give back to the community.
"We run a good business here. People love us. The community loves us. We give free haircuts, we give out brand new tennis shoes all the time, this is what we do. We take care of people," he said. "I'm praying for everyone involved because to be that evil, to do something like that, you need God."
Gillespie said Thursday started out like any other day. The barbershop was busy and active. He said before the shooting, three men walked in and didn't have appointments. He asked his other barbers to service the men.
"I'm like 'Hey, can you guys take care of these guys real quick?' Because this what we do. We accommodate the community. We help people," he said.
As his employees were finishing up and he was taking care of a client, chaos erupted. Police said a man walked in and started shooting.
"I heard the first shot and when I heard the first shot, I dropped down," said Gillespie. "I took cover. I took cover and I prayed."
He said he heard about 40 shots in total and there were about 2 dozen people inside the shop when it happened. He said two of his employees suffered non life-threatening injuries. But Gillespie said he felt like the shooters were targeting his customers.
"In my words, the three dudes that walked in for walk-ins to get serviced they were followed here. They picked out who they shot," he said.
No arrests have been made as police are still investigating.
Neighbors said the gun violence in the area has gotten out of control.
"Everybody is walking around with these guns like it’s the Wild Wild West," said Gregory Jones, who lives in the Old Brooklyn neighborhood. "It’s a danger to these children. It’s a danger to anyone living around here. Something needs to be done about it."
Gillespie echoed his sentiments, pleading for people to put down the guns.
"Life is too short. Life is too precious. Gun violence ain't the answer, man. There’s too much of it in our city. Someone could’ve died. It doesn’t matter who- who is, at the end of the day, we all got a mom, we all got a dad, we all got children and if one us dies, people get hurt," he said. "What happened today was tragic this was absolutely unnecessary, uncalled for."
He is praying whoever did this is caught.
"They gotta pay the price. You shot and wounded people that you could’ve easily killed. You put the lives of all of them at risk when you open the door and fire," said Gillespie.
The cause of the shooting remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call 216-621-1234. Anonymous information can be provided by calling Crimestoppers at 216-25-CRIME.
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