Brothers charged in connection with murder of barber.
Homicide Squad Det. Sgt. Dan Nielsen makes an announcement at Police headquarters Tuesday of the arrest of two brothers in the murder of Chris Thompson. (Feb. 21, 2012)
Staff photo/ANDREW PALAMARCHUK
Two brothers have been charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death last month of popular barber Chris Thompson.
Christopher Perez, 22 and Kevin Perez, 27, also face firearm and drug charges, police said.
Thompson, 35, was gunned down while cutting hair inside the Cut Creator barber shop at the Malvern Town Centre on Tapscott Road around 12:45 p.m. Jan. 24.
"We had good co-operation from the public," Det. Sgt. Dan Nielsen said Tuesday, Feb. 21. "People provided information...and helped us to direct the investigation very early on. Through the investigation, we were able to gather the evidence that allowed us to lay the charge."
On Monday, police executed search warrants in Ottawa, Toronto and Orillia and seized three firearms, ammunition, cocaine and stolen property.
Five people, including the Perez brothers, were arrested. Three suspects, whose names weren't released, have been charged with firearms offences that are not related to the murder.
Nielsen, of the homicide squad, alleged Kevin Perez and Thompson had a "history" but he wouldn't elaborate.
"This is not a gang-related offence at all," he noted.
At a news conference Jan. 27, police released surveillance footage of a person approaching the barber shop, taking something (believed to be a shotgun) out of his bag and entering the shop. About 75 seconds later, the person is seen leaving the shop, putting the weapon back in his bag and running off.
Nielsen said the video "did help" in the investigation.
He alleged the Perez brothers "acted in concert," adding "one was the shooter, and one was an accomplice."
Police are still looking for a key witness in the case: the man who Thompson was giving a hair cut to at the time of the murder.
Nielsen said that the investigation is ongoing and that more arrests are possible.
He wouldn't disclose whether or not the murder weapon was recovered.
Thompson had worked at the barber shop for 16 years. He leaves behind his parents, siblings, 15-year-old son, eight-year-old daughter and his common-law wife.
Nielsen said the family was pleased that arrests were made.
"Obviously Chris will never be replaced but I hope it (the arrests) gives them some comfort and some peace of mind and maybe it'll help them get some closure."
Nielsen described the murder as a "senseless, tragic crime."