The man who owns the Bridgeport barbershop where a gunman fatally shot a 14-year-old boy on Christmas Eve says business has sharply dropped since the incident.
Michael Majors, 23, is accused in the death of Luis Colon, a student who authorities say was an innocent bystander caught in the State Street crossfire between rival gun dealers.
Anthony Sanchez, who owns Stylz Barbershop at 11-56 State St., told News 12 Wednesday that business has declined by about 50 percent since Colon's death right outside his doorstep. He says the violence hurts all of the businesses on State Street.
Sanchez says Colon's family paid the highest price for this murder and he wants to do everything in his power to stand with them while they grieve.
He says he wants people to return to State Street businesses. He says he and other business owners nearby have to look out for their livelihoods.
Michael Young, a barber at Stylz, says the drop in business has had a big impact on his life.
"The people paid our bills and this is our job and at the end of the day, we still need to get our bills paid," said Young.
City Councilwoman Eneida Martinez spoke at the barbershop Wednesday in support of Sanchez.
Bridgeport police appealed to the public not to stay away from the shop because of Colon's murder, stating they are going to protect the shop and the State Street area.
As authorities continue their investigation, Sanchez says the community should feel safe to come to Stylz Barbershop.