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Since arriving at The Selma Times-Journal, I’ve written countless murder stories in Selma and Dallas County.

But only one fatal shooting sticks with me: the May 11 murder of barber Kevin Wade Shark, 57. Shark was murdered at his home barbershop at the 200 block of Cresthaven Court. Selma Police said Shark was shot several times.

I heard speculation from several local residents on why Shark was brutally killed. Until I get confirmation from law enforcement, I won’t publish rumors. I will never disrespect somebody’s family. 

While I realize that murders can occur anywhere, a man getting killed at a barbershop boggles my mind. 

From where I grew up, barbershops have always been a sacred place for men to discuss their personal lives and things occurring in the area. Men often came relaxed to get their hair cut or receive a shave. They always watched a sporting event or classic TV show waiting in line.

I had to occasionally get reminded that conversations in the barbershop were “off the record.” Of course, I knew these chats were classified and couldn’t be in the Times-Journal’s print or digital editions.

Sitting in a barbershop waiting to get service meant something to me as a child, and it remains the same as an adult.

Hit TV shows like “The Andy Griffith Show” and “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” each featured excellent scenes in the barbershop. The Barbershop movie franchise with three films was made in the early 2000’s.  Floyd the barber was well portrayed by the late Howard McNear for Andy and Barney. Ice Cube and Cedric the Entertainer played excellent barbers in the barbershop movies.

Apparently, the suspects were either unaware or didn’t care about the importance of barbershops. If I were a judge whenever the suspect or suspects came into my courtroom, I would point out the disrepect of a barbershop.

 

James Jones is the managing editor of The Selma Times-Journal. He can be reached at james.jones@selmatimesjournal.com.