Friends remember slain barbershop owner

Police: Security shot, killed Gerson Mieses

MIAMI – Friends remembered the owner of a barbershop in Miami's Little Haiti neighborhood who was shot and killed by a security guard on Sunday.

They lit candles outside the barbershop at 5325 NE 2nd Avenue in memory of Gerson Mieses.

"He's my friend," said Ada Concepcion. "He's not a problem for nobody here. Never."

Police were called out to reports of an argument between the two. When an officer stepped between Mieses and the security guard, the guard shot Mieses. The officer then shot the guard, killing him.

Friends of Mieses said they don't understand why the guard shot him when the police officer tried separating them.

"Like everybody else, we all lose our temper and what not, but he was a cool person," said Ivan Nieves.

Mieses' family said the argument stemmed over flyers for a neighboring barbershop. Family members claimed a few barbers who moved across the street were trying to take away business.

Friends said Mieses and the guard may have been arguing about a parking space at the shopping plaza where Mieses was parked.

Police haven't identified the security guard.