Officials ask public to come forward with information in barber shop shooting

Shooter had been at barber shop prior to shooting

ORLANDO, Fla. – Officials released additional details in Wednesday's barber shop shooting in Pine Hills and asked the public to come forward with any information they may have during a press conference Friday afternoon. 

Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings called the murder of 33-year-old Brian Berry, the owner of Strictly Skillz Barber Shop and Salon in Pine Hills, a "cowardly and senseless act." He described Berry as a community activist and mentor.

Officials said it was around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday when a lone masked gunman entered the barber shop and started making demands on the customers and employees inside. 

Another individual who was inside the business at the time produced a gun and that's when shots were fired, officials said. 

Berry was shot and killed. Another barber, 28-year-old Reginald Trammel, was shot and suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

Authorities said the man responsible for the murder committed several crimes across Orlando, including two carjackings and other armed robberies, in the days leading up to the shooting. 

"We have every reason to believe he's not going to stop," Sgt. Mike Ruggiero, of the Orange County Sheriff's Office homicide unit, said during the press conference.

One of those crimes happened Saturday when the man came to Strictly Skillz Barber Shop armed with a gun. In that case, the man didn't make any demands and nothing was stolen. The incident was not reported to police until after Wednesday's shooting.

Officials believe the man lives in and frequents the Pine Hills area and they're asking anyone who may know him to step forward. A reward of up to $5,000 is being offered for information that leads to an arrest. 

"Our appeal is to the community to assist us in this process," Demings said. 

The Orange County Sheriff's Office plans released video showing the man at the barber shop as well as pictures of two stolen vehicles he may have been driving: a gray 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier and a 2016 green Ford Fiesta. The Cavalier was used during Wednesday's shooting, deputies said. The surveillance video can be seen here

The shooter is described as being about about 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing between 170-190 pounds.

Watch News 6 and stay with ClickOrlando.com for more on this story.


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