Police said popular Queens barber Zanu Simpson [photo], was gunned down while sitting in his Vehicle in a botched robbery on Tuesday

A popular barber shot dead outside a Queens bar this week was targeted for his jewelry by an ex-con paroled in January on a drug conviction, police said Friday.
Zanu Simpson, 32, was sitting in his luxury SUV when he was shot in the head three times early Tuesday outside the Breezes Island Grill on S. Conduit Ave. near Lansing Ave. in Rosedale.
Cops are hunting for 31-year-old accused killer Tyson Boateng, Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce said.

Cops are hunting for 31-year-old accused killer Tyson Boateng

The Queens barber was fatally shot in head in possible botched robbery
Zanu Simpson was shot in the head at close range early Tuesday as he sat in his white BMW X5 just minutes after leaving a Queens bar.
Zanu, 32,  had repeatedly been targeted by gun-toting perps, police sources said.
Zanu Simpson who owned and operated a popular barber shop, ‘Strickly Skillz’  in Queens with his older brother, Samuel Simpson,  was found about 12:15 a.m. inside the  luxury SUV.
It was parked outside the Breezes Island Grill on S. Conduit Ave. near Lansing Ave. in Rosedale, where the 32-year-old had been hanging out. He left the bar with no hint of trouble and then quickly became the victim of what sources described as a botched robbery.

Zanu Simpson was sitting in his SUV when ex-con Tyson Boateng allegedly, shot and killed him in a failed robbery

Samuel Simpson was his brother’s business partner. He spoke about the brother who he said was “like my other half.”

A woman who drove by the crime scene told police she saw a man in a charcoal gray hoodie lean into the driver’s side window of Simpson’s vehicle and repeatedly punched him. Hearing a gunshot as she drove past, the witness doubled back and saw Simpson slumped over in his seat. He had been shot in the head three times.
The victim’s belongings, including a gold ring, glasses and cash, were found near his vehicle. Police also recovered a handgun believed to be the murder weapon and a live round.
“He is the shooter,” Boyce said of Boateng. “And we believe it’s a robbery for Mr. Simpson’s jewelry.”
It wasn’t clear if Boateng was trying to steal the gold ring or if he made off with other jewelry.

Police investigate the scene at South Conduit Avenue and Lansing Avenue in Queens, where Zanu Simpson was shot and killed, Tuesday

Boateng was conditionally released by parole officials after he was convicted of selling drugs on Long Island and sentenced to up to four years in prison.
Simpson, who worked with his brother at the Strickly Skillz Barbershop in Hollis, died at Jamaica Hospital around 1 a.m

Mourners contribute candles and flowers at shuttered Strickly Skillz barber shop in Queens for Zanu Simpson

The A teary-eyed mourners carrying candles showed up at Strickly Skillz Tuesday morning to console each other and pay tribute to Simpson. Several women were openly weeping, speaking through choked sobs.