Man Shot Dead on Washington Avenue a Prospect Heights 'Fixture'

in front of a Washington Avenue barbershop grew up in Prospect Heights and was a “fixture of the neighborhood,” area residents said.

John “JB” Brea was shot once in the head and twice in the body in front of Louis and Shorty’s Barbershop, between between St. Johns and Sterling places at 9:51 p.m., an NYPD spokesman said. He was taken to Methodist Hospital and died shortly after the shooting.

(He is not related to Michael Brea, who is  in 2010, police said).

On Wednesday afternoon, a memorial of 15 candles was burning in front of the shop, and the window of the dry cleaner’s next door had a hand-written sign up: “R.I.P. JB, we miss you.”

“May he rest in peace,” said a man in the barbershop, who declined to give his name. “We love him and we’re going to miss him.”

Brea had 25 arrests for non-violent offenses, most recently pleading to a 2010 charge of marijuana possession, police said. Area residents described him as a "nice guy" and a “good father.”

Neighbors said Brea grew up on St. Johns Place near Washington Avenue. Although he most recently lived on Pine Street in East New York, he hung out frequently on Washington Avenue.

Malika Malcom said she didn’t know Brea personally, but said he was an integral part of Washington Avenue.

“He was a fixture in the neighborhood and I pray that they catch the man who killed him,” she said. 

As of Wednesday afternoon no arrests have been made, police said. 

Anyone with any information should contact the 77th Precinct Detective Squad at (718) 735-0662. People can also submit anonymous tips through the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline, 800-577-TIPS, or their website, or by texting 274637 (CRIMES) and then entering TIP577. All calls are strictly confidential.