By Ivan Pereira
A man was killed last week while he was spending time at an Ozone Park barbershop that allegedly has shady after-hours operations, and the incident may be linked to another homicide several hours earlier less than a block away, a source claimed.
Officers responded to a 911 call of shots fired inside 103-14 135th St. shortly before 1 a.m. Jan. 29 and found two people shot, police said. Gary Bowlin, 35, was declared dead at the scene by EMS crews from a gunshot wound to his head, while the second unidentified man was rushed to Jamaica Hospital in stable condition, investigators said.
He was shot in the hip and had a bullet graze his face, police said.
Both men were found in the back of the barbershop, according to investigators.
Police were investigating the incident and did not have any suspects named or make any arrests by press time, but a source with knowledge about the investigation said the men were targeted.
The barbershop has been known to be a front for drugs and gambling during its off hours, according to the source. The source does not know if the owner of the barbershop, who could not be reached for comment, is involved with the alleged illicit activity.
“Evidently, a criminal effort has crept in,” the source said.
Bowlin, who lived in southeast Queens, was involved in a summer shooting a block from the barbershop that left cab driver Barri Jahoor dead, according to the source. Bowlin was shot in the stomach July 11 and walked himself into Jamaica Hospital in critical condition, but he survived only to be gunned down six months later, police said.
No suspect was ever arrested in that shooting, police said.
Bowlin’s death came five hours before another southeast Queens man was killed.
Gregory Jenkins, 29, who lives half a block away from the barbershop, was found dead with a gunshot wound to his left eye at Alabama Avenue in Brooklyn, police said. Investigators had no suspects in Jenkins’ homicide as of press time and the investigation is ongoing.
The source claimed Jenkins and Bowlin’s shootings may have been linked, but police could not comment on that claim.
Anyone with information is urged to call Crimestoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS, text their tips to 274637 then enter TIP577 or log on to nypdcrimestoppers.com. All reports will be kept confidential.
Reach reporter Ivan Pereira by e-mail at ipereira@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4546.
