‘THIS IS CHAOS:’ BARBERSHOP OWNER DESCRIBES SHOOTING ARMED MAN POINTING GUN AT CHILDREN, PATRONS

Marlon Mascoe, 24, Was Upset Over Joke Barber Made About His Hair, Report Shows

MELBOURNE, Fla. – A quick-thinking Melbourne barbershop owner shot and disarmed a disgruntled customer who returned with a handgun he used to point at customers, barbers and two young children, according to Melbourne police records.

The situation unfolded Saturday at the New York Hair Barbershop on West Florida Avenue in Melbourne. The suspect was booked into the Brevard County Jail Thursday.

The owner of the barbershop told Melbourne police Marlon Mascoe, 24, came in and was waiting for another barber to cut his hair. The owner offered to cut his hair instead but Mascoe declined. The owner said he made a joke that he wasn’t good enough to cut Mascoe’s hair and said Mascoe had “nappy hair like me.” The owner said Mascoe appeared upset and walked out.

About 10 minutes later, the owner was cutting another person’s hair when Mascoe returned wearing a face mask and holding a black handgun. He also had a hooded sweatshirt pulled over his head, according to the report. The barber said he recognized Mascoe by his “Jamaican accent” and because he had been in the shop just a few minutes prior.

The barber said Mascoe said, “This is real, this is a real gun” and pointed the weapon at barbers and patrons in the shop.

A witness later told Melbourne police, “When (Mascoe) was pointing it at me ... I was looking down the barrel.”

As Mascoe continued to point the gun at people, the shop owner said he retrieved his firearm and ducked behind a barber chair.

The barber said when Mascoe turned, he took the opportunity to shoot him. After Mascoe was on the ground, the barber instructed someone else to call 911, according to the report.