By Peter Sorkin
A 30-year-old mother of two children was found dead in a Ridgewood health club where she worked Friday morning after being shot several times in the head and body with a 22-caliber handgun, police said.
Barbara Perez, of 88-49 Rutledge Ave. in Ridgewood, had worked as a receptionist for the Power Factory at 71-13 60th Lane for a year and a half, said some stunned gym members.
Her ex-husband and the father of her youngest child, who is a correction officer at Rikers Island, was being questioned about the murder, Newsday reported Saturday. The Police Department had not released his name as of presstime.
Elvin Vargas, who has been a member of The Power Factory since February, said Perez will be missed.
Gilbert Martinez, who works out at the health club daily at 6:30 a.m., found her body and called the police. He had arrived at the gym for his usual workout, but the music was off and the windows had not yet been opened. He went to look for Perez throughout the workout room, but could not find her. After calling out her name and walking to the back of the gym, he discovered Perez face up in a puddle of blood.
