The wild wild west. Better be quick on the draw in Crakron!

We'll ready for work. Scissors,comb,powder,Glock 17.

jezz will obama save them from themselves too?

That's the risk a criminal assumes when committing a crime!

The right to bear arms prevailed and saved the barbers.

What is Sommerville doing in this article trying to be the hero. He is the person who seems to support the criminal and the good citizens suffer.

If i was the owner of the KB barbershop i would have a sign out stating impeach Sommerville.

Stop trying to grab a politicalo plum Marco on this incident. You are one of the major players that makes this kind of incident happen

Where is my comment. I think my comments were true and to the point. Has Sommerville paid off the BJ.

He made comments on the article as to the problem of economic fall relaing to crime. I say it is Sommerville supporting the criminals of Akron

Nevermind my previous post - i read incorrectly.

Hollywood would have one believe that the black barbershop is the center of the intellectual universe. Perhaps Barbershop3 should reflect the reality.

James - you'd be surprised how much cash floats around in a barber shop. Especially a neighborhood shop that may have some gambling going on too. Card game, checkers, etc. I've seen hundreds if not thousands in a neighborhood shop before on a busy night.

after reading about the perpetrator, it sounds to me like he got what he deserved and practiced...violence and crime.

Notice to the thugs, LEAVE akron before you too become a statistic. We the people have had enough, and will shoot back.

hey...idiots and bigots! i know Kevin and Scott. They are two GREAT guys. They run an honest shop and make an honest living. They are two of the very best barbers in Akron.

The reason the place was being robbed was not for the take of cutting hair. It was for the money on hand from illegal activities. Last time I went to to get my hair cut the girl cutting my hair was not packing heat. Why in the world would a barber pack a gun. Maybe for a drug deal gone bad,huh? If it is because the shop is in a bad area of town,then MOVE somewhere else. They might not want to do that tho, might cut into the money made from slinging crack.

If they were in fact, defending themselves, then they had EVERY right to do so. Good for them. I did a little more research about this shop, and have found that these are pretty good guys.

Did they reach Marco in Akron or his Tel Aviv office? With what Marco and the Mayor blow on their around the world junkets, you can have 5 or 6 beat cops on the street or more!

Why does Marco always blame "how bad things are." Why not point the finger at these career criminal thugs who are in and out of the system waiting to actually commit a crime that will get them some a long jail sentence or better yet, get killed during the commision of the crime their committing. Marco should stop attacking the police and start helping them arrest these thugs.

Good for you Kevin protecting your business. I wish you a speedy recovery, along with the other victims of this senseless crime.

Robert is right, the Barber shop is a good shop with a great owner. He protected his customers from the the career criminal thug who came into his shop to rob him and his customers. My only problem is the citizens of that area have to vote Marco out and elect someone who will work with the police to clean up crime. The thugs know they have a friend in Marco so they are brazened to committ crime.

Why do some people have to turn a tragedy like this into a race issue? The real focus should be ..why is this idiot running around the streets with that many convictions? I'm glad the owners didn't recieve worse injuries, and support their right to defend themselves and their business. You'll find people of all colors that don't know how to behave and that's our real problem. My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims here.

It isn't the barber shops fault that a drug abuser robbed them. If you were being robbed I think you would shoot too. I find it funny for the ones of you saying the cops should do more, well when they do they get criticism. Please mother and fathers lets to better for our children, this has to stop. Every life is cherished by someone.

Wilma your an ignorant helfer and you probably weigh as much. These guys at this shop are good guys and as unfortunate as someone loosing their life is the world is better off. This no good bas**** got what he deserved. Its time for these lazy people to get up off their flat backsides and go to work like the rest of us.

The right to bear arms in action, BRAVO!

Old man grump go some where and die you idiot. Its a shame that you can grow to be an old man and still be as ignorant as you were as a racist child.

Why do you post the ignorant old man grump blog, but not post our comments when we respond to this racist pig. Maybe old man grump really works for the Beacon Journal

old man grump works for the Beacon Journal

Who is the one that decides what to post and what gets blocked. Why can't I respond to idiots like old man grump

It's amazing to me how racism and prejudice still abounds. I know Kevin and he is a good guy. Although, had the defender been a white man in a black neighborhood, the comments we would see would be praising the man for protecting the shop and customers. Stop smoking that stuff and move into the new millenium people! There's no place for that small-minded thinking.

Just thinking, can anyone remember the last time a barber shop in Fairlawn was robbed? Oh wait, they are not open all hours of the night,to serve customers that can't get out of bed at a decent hour to get their hair cut. Much easier to stand on the corner all night, sell crack, sleep all day and then go get a hair cut at 11:00pm before "work."

There is a gentlemen that is a motivational speaker and a mentor that has been doing presentation's in schools, churches, organizations regarding drugs, gangs, crimes, disfunctional families and freedom. His past has helped to educate and give children and the young adults a chance to be free. He had voiced with Marco Sommerville and the Mayor of Akron for support and their response to him was negative. Being that they are so powerful, why are they not supporting this gentleman in a positve way verses negative. Our community needs help and support.

It's too bad that another senseless act happens again and again. Here's a troubled youngster 22 years old robbing a barbershop when he should be studying to improve himself and his community. It just shows how bad it's getting because of the lack of personal moral compass enhanced by the social-economic factors that still prevail.
True, the perpetrator deserved what he got, but if we (the community) don't proactively do something about this growing problem it will start to be like in the Deathwish shoot 'em up movies.

Hey chris if you read the story it said the suspect entered the barber shop at 9:15pm,that is the same time best cuts and all the salons in fairlawn close ,not that you would know since you live in kenmore you redneck!

I call this instant justice. Let's hope the shooter isn't charged with a crime. I have a permit and carry at work and no, I don't deal drugs or have illegal activities going on. Move? no way. This is my neighborhood and as a business person in my own community it is my resposibility to take a stand against this kind of thing. Mr. Sommerville needs to wake up and take notice of this incident. He must not realize his condescending remarks about robbing a barbershop seem totally out of touch. The thieves today will hit any target they consider 'soft'. More proof the 2nd amendment is necessary.

It's a shame that people spend so much time thinking of ignorant things to say these yong men were trying to be upstanding citizens and you people always want to think the worst GET A LIFE !!!

Its quite obvious here that white citizens are sick of the black crime that plagues the city. Since its not politically correct to voice you opinion on the matter in public, this forum provides a place for whites to vent their frustrations. I applaud the ABJ for providing this spot for those that are in touch with reality. Black crime is ruining this city.

you betya uniqua hit the nail on the head thanks (@@)

Good riddance Leon. You wont be missed.
Perhaps Jane Bond, Mary Spicer, Alison McCarty, Eve Belfannce, and Lynne Callahan should do the time they failed to sentence you to in your past criminal life.

HOLD OFF BEFORE YOU PASS JUGEMENT! did anyone ever put to and to together. WHY is the baber shop open after 9pm. When everything is close at 7:30pm or 8pm in Akron,Oh, And news flash the shop is a drug dealer spot, Did you ever drive pass it? Did you truly read the article why is everyone who come from alanta and work or go to that shop is dead. Leon just came back from Alanta (now think).I believe he was set up. Leon is not that kind of person. The media is trying to set up a ugly picture so people won't put it together of what really is going on. They rather have black people killed by each other. Maybe thats why the newspaper added he was convicted of drug charges, But lets face it people,people is looking of ways to survive that does not mean you are a bad person (even if I DONT AGREE W/ SELLING IT, LEON WAS A GREAT PERSON, I BELIEVE HE WAS SET UP. MAY GOD BLESS HIS FAMILY AND OTHERS THAT WAS INVOLVE. let god make the finale judgement not us as people. What ever is done IN the dark will surface to the light.

LIVING IN AMERICA; aka AKRON,OH. It's happin everywhere, all over the world. Just keep ur doors locked and ur ear aware of ur surroundings, and make sure ur loaded.

Sick of Sommerville and his so called possey. who side are u on. APD/Community. Make up ur *** mine.

Oh swell oh man Grump has struck again. My oh My, they've always said the truth really hurts.

oh my gosh, i can't believe that you people are grown and may have probably father and mothered children(hopefully not), no one deserves to have their business robbed, or this young man's life to be taken in such an horrific way..the world is so screwed with people such as yourselves, how much different are you from the robber, not much because with the comments you all are leaving, you're obviously not wrapped to tight..and bigots, what are you going to do after january 20th when Obama officially becomes president, I know your so mad mad mad what crime will you commit..lol

This is a terrible, terrible thing that happend. Whether that young man was set up or not things like this should not happen in our community. I am saddend for all of the families involved in this incident. I am just glad that there were no children hurt or killed. I know several fine and upstanding citizens that patronize that business. It could have been anyone in that shop trying to get a haircut for the holiday. ( It is not an uncommon practice for BLACK Owned babershops to stay open late the day before a holiday, first day of school, etc. )

Uniqua you make a good point. Black crime is ruining Akron, it is sad. I spent 40 years in Akron, the best move I ever made was to get OUT. There are places that you can live where you can walk the streets and not have to look over you shoulder. I now live 4 Hours from Akron and sometimes I go a week maybe 10 days without even seeing a black person. I can ever get a hair cut without the fear of gun play, and my barber does not pack heat. Get out while you can! The suburbs are not even safe anymore. P.S. Eena do you really think Obama really cares that Blacks are killing blacks outside a barber shop in Akron over drugs and the "THUG ATTITUDE" wake up! He could be green and things will not change, until the people of the black community wake up and realize that there is a right and a wrong way to live ones life.

I THINK ITS NOT A RACE ISSUE AT ALL ITS THE ISSUE OF ALL BACKGROUNDS.BECUSE PEOPLE HAVE A HARD TIME FINDING GOOD JOBS THAT ARE HARD TO FIND.AND MOST BARBER SHOPS DON'T HAVE CAMREAS SO ROBBERS THINKS
ITS EASY TO ROB&GET AWAY.

racism at its best

its always the black mans fault
what about all the white sexual predators out there.
what about all the white men locked up in summit county for beating their wives. the stats don't lie.
what about the white collar under the table crimes that help turn Akron to the dump it is. the rich stealing from the poor stealing city money.
why don't the racist white meth users talk about that.

Since I work a full-time job, volunteer for several charities and am highly involved with my kid's school, and contribute to society in general, I often find it hard to get out for a decent haircut. I am glad to know that there is a barber shop that stays open late at night. I will drive my skinny white but up there next week. If they deny me a haircut, I will sue for racism. Don't worry. I conceal carry.

Robber got what he deserved! BAM!

What does this barber shop being open after 9:00 pm have to do with anything?! There are many barber shops and beauty shops, especially in west Akron, that are open at unusual hours. It generally doesn't take "whites” hours to get their hair cut or styled, so maybe ignorance is to blame for the comments regarding the late hours. The barber shops are full, from sun up to sun down, and sometimes it's not feasible to wait until the weekend to be in the barber shop waiting all day, especially if you have a 9-5 job. Maybe we should stop being so prejudiced and look at the reality of the situation. Men minding their own business trying to make some money to support their families the honest way are the VICTIMS of a senseless robbery attempt by someone who obviously couldn't be a responsible law abiding citizen. Furthermore, there are a lot of business owners (in good neighborhoods and bad) that carry weapons, legally. The barbers have the right to carry a weapon to protect what they have worked so hard to build. You're placing the blame in the wrong direction...

Believe me - no legitimate barber shop stays open late at night like this one. Hmmmm. Think about it.

Are we that stupid, this had nothing to do with the economy (it was about Drugs). It has nothing to do about race (it is about crime). Those men(barber's) black or white deserve and earned the right to own a business without worring about being robbed. Its to bad,that young mans life lead him to this event. But all the victims in the barber shop, the ones in the hospital and the children and there parents who witnessed this, will live with this for a long time. So lets get off our high horses and stop acting like these crimes don't happen in our neighborhoods.

Drugs are colorblind.

DON'T go in that shop anymore LeBron..... have dude come to your house and cut your hair......

Stay in akron, sign an extension w/ the Cavs and you'll OWN this town. OWN IT.......... Watch out Plusqualleeee---- You're powers are weak old man!!!! LBJ for mayor!!!!

Chris maybe some people work and can't get to the barber shop until after dix or seven. I use to work until seven thirty now I get off at six thirty. I'm not out selling crack all night but yet you would have classified me just as you did in your comment. In the white barber shops probably like the one you go to I'm sure it's no problem picking up so meth.

Hey zipped you are an idiot as well they have the wright to stay open as late as they see fit to service their customers. Maybe you forgot that the holiday was the next day and that they were a little busier than normal. Also maybe you forgot the person you voted for has been in office for the last eight years.

To posted by a moron at 8:40 AM. Please learn how to spell. That place is often open late as I drive by there often after volunteering at an inner city organization. I often wondered what is going on there late at night? I never see anybody in the chairs receiving a haircut. I do not understand your voting comment. Number 1, you have no idea who I voted for or if I even voted. Number 2, how does that comment relate to this story? From Zipped97

People need to understand that ignorant people will try to say things like "The barbershop was a front for a drug ring" just to get under your skin. Those of us who know KB and Scott know they are hard working, honest young men like most of the African American barbers in Akron who are simply trying to provide for their families. To those uninformed out there, many black barbershops stay open late to accomodate the needs of their customers. If you take your kids to the barber after you get off work say at five or six you may have a couple hour wait time. When the clown tried to rob the business there was about 19 people inside waiting to get their haircut inclunding very small children. These men did what they had to do to protect their customers and themselves from this THUG! They should be commended for their heroism. I am a staunch believer that dumb things happen to dumb people and Leon was just plain DUMB! For the clown who mentioned the barber who was killed in Atlanta, it is well known he was a victim of two female serial killers, so get your facts straight!

YOU KNOW WHAT
FORGET ALL OF YOU PEOPLE WHO HAVE SOMETHING BAD TO SAY ABOUT LEON.
THAT WAS MY UNCLE AND IF YOU DIDNT KNOW HIM YOU SHOULD HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY.
GET THE TRUE STORY BEFORE YOU START TO SAY THINGS.
LEON YOU WILL BE MISSED AND WE LOVE YOU!

xavier,

you have my condolences... for being related to this scum bag! he pulls a gun with children present? he got what he deserve.

however, if I was the APD, I would not bother investigating it. everytime a crakhead gets shot, the APD are the bad guys!

oh, wait... thats only when the APD kill these dumb azzes! leon deserves to be dead!

why did he have a gun? why did he pull it? stop making excusses for these thugs. they are not good people. good people dont rob others or shot innocent people.

we need to stop blaming the whites for our own stupidity!

to all the idiots, yes IDIOTS, who have nothing better to do than complain because a babrer shop is open late. this aint best cuts- SO WHAT. why is it just because it is black owned, it is a front for illegal activity? are you jealous because those black barbers are making more money than you? all the black barbers i know make at least $500 a day. that is why they can afford to drive the nice cars. all the black owned beauty salons too. in cleveland, you have to get buzzed in. if they dont know you, you are not getting in. they are making more than the barbers. dont be mad because a black man is making an honest living. it is one of the few jobs that a black man can make a good living. even those with a felony record. just because blacks dont fit YOUR typical white business profile and what they SHOULD be doing DONT HATE!!!!

^ CORRECTION- barber

just because a black business doesnt fit your.....

Xavier, we don't need to know your uncle to know his type. He is the type to have no regard for human life and preys on the people in his own community! We all have someone in our family who we are ashamed of black/white who have made bad decisions in life, my uncle is in the books as Ohio's first career criminal! We loved him but he still was an idiot! He once robbed a jewelry store and we he and his accomplices got back to their hideout he robbed them! Back then it was heroin today it's crack! Stupid is stupid no matter what the relationship they are to you! Our black mothers need to stop crying about "My baby was a good boy" and see the fool for what he was! I have know sympathy for someone who is breaking into my neighbors home and gets shot or robbing a community business and gets shot. Like the theme song from the 70's show Baretta says "Don't do the crime, if you can't do the crime!" One less THUG off the street good riddance!

Leon is one more thug off of the street. Thank goodness for legal gun totin' business owners. When the people start fighting back and blasting these low life scum bag thugs this city will be a better place. How do these people pay for haircuts? If these barbers are making $500 a day (which they are not) how much does a cut cost? It is ironic that all of these pizza and chinese delivery drivers are getting robbed for spare change, yet the unemployed male population in Akron can afford to get hair cuts? I see very little employment among black males in the city. How can so many of them as a total be paying for hair cuts to the tune of $500 per day? And that is just for one barber? Hmmm.

I am really sorry to hear the above comments pertaining to a young man that was killed in the process of committing a crime. Evidently he was a lost soul. But it is so cruel for someone to say it is good that leon is dead. Be careful what you say about people because everyone reaps what they sow. Leon rest in peace. I did not know this young man, and yes it was wrong for him to do what he did but I would never wish anyone dead. You people that have should start asking god for forgiveness.

black barbershops usually charge between 15-20 a cut. add in a little for a tip $25 maybe? this aint the 6.99 best cuts special. black men usually get their haircut 3-4 times a month.

women pay between $25- $50, sometimes up to $100. thats every 2-3 weeks.

how do "these people" pay for haircuts- THEY WORK!!! if that is what they choose to spend their hard earned money on- so be it. i know you will probably criticize that next....(me personally, i do the bald head. myself. 3 times a week)
for you to say some dumb stuff like-
"yet the unemployed male population in
Akron can afford to get hair cuts? I see very
little employment among black males in the
city."
is just plain stupid. do you realize how many black folks work. we are not out all robbing or selling crack. you my friend have a superiority complex leading you to believe you are somehow better than the black man because you dont know live the way we live. we dont do the best cuts special. we may go to the shop at 11 pm. whats wrong with a man working long hours to earn money and feed his family?

kids and crackheads are robbing the pizza man.

not the guy going to the barbershop getting a cut!!

how do YOU know how much the barber makes?

do you do his taxes?

YOU KNOW WHAT
FORGET ALL OF YOU PEOPLE WHO HAVE SOMETHING BAD TO SAY ABOUT LEON.
THAT WAS MY UNCLE AND IF YOU DIDNT KNOW HIM YOU SHOULD HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY.
GET THE TRUE STORY BEFORE YOU START TO SAY THINGS.
LEON YOU WILL BE MISSED AND WE LOVE YOU!
we know he was a drug addicted theiving scum and we are better off with him right where he is

I just want to say that most of these comments are sad!!! my prayers goes out to the family & friends of the barber and the friends and family of Leon Walker. This is a very sad situation and I hope that as a people and community we can come together. There's no excuse for the actions of Leon , none what so ever but please realize that he was loved too and yes every one is entitled to feel who that would like but have a little respect for everyone. That's why the world is the way it is now. And as far as "our" young black youth lets be real our single mother's cant do it alone. The leading cause for such behavior in teens and youth is the lack of a father. I urge any man out there to step up & be a father to your children , teach them to be a man so that they will not resort to such desperate acts. Foreal yall come on!! We need to make difference dont talk about it be about it !!! go donate some time as a big brother or big sister let's try to help those that have been lost along the way. As far as those sounding off at Xavier who is a child that is hurt ... this is a prime example of where we go wrong. We have no right as adults to tell him anything negative about his loved one. Xavier can read, he know what his uncle did was wrong . You would have been better off just not responding to this hurt child.
Again this is a very sad situation and until we all look at it for what it really is nothing will ever change. I love all yall & take care!!!

Why did they bring up the two boys that was murderd in Atlanta? The dead can't even rest.
No one was found guilty because everone was
"PAID" off to keep there mouth shut, and tell a lie. There is Justice for you..

I find it very ignorant that people find such pleasure in saying cruel and malicious things about people after they die. Let the boy rest in peace. Im a christian and I have a God like heart. Dont put harshful things on people because if your family member was the person would you say ignorant things about them. Treat others the way that you would love to be treated.

Leon is a human being and he his family deserves to miss their child or family member. The comment that said he will not be missed was very cruel, his family will miss him. God is the only person that has authority to judge people. Put all your negative use to use and pray and ask God to give you a heart that can learn how to forgive. Ignorant things are better left not said. For these are the last days and God is soon to come. These people that have enough time to say ignorant things about Leon should question theirself, ask yourself is your house in order are you ready for Jesus return? The community need to come up with ways that can help reduce these things from happening. Im not saying what he did was right, but I will not cast stone to no one because Im not perfect, and this could have been one of my family members.

You bible thumpers crack me up! I don't hear you praying for all the victims that his drug induced carnage terrorized whether it is by breaking into someone’s home or robbing hard working people at gunpoint! If there is a Hell, someone has to go there right? Using your misguided beliefs who do you think that would be, good old Leon, or his victims? Get a life hypocrites!

The spirit lies behind behind the solar-plexus understand spirit and attitudes will improve, until then pop goes the weasal

Posted by mark 12:19 PM, 11/30/2008
Why did they bring up the two boys that was murderd in Atlanta? The dead can't even rest.
No one was found guilty because everone was
"PAID" off to keep there mouth shut, and tell a lie. There is Justice for you..

YES WHY-THE FAMILY WONDERS WHY ALSO? Actually they should not rest until the murder or murders is brought to justice. WHAT YOU DO TO SOMEONE WILL EVENTUALLY BE DONE BACK! YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW! Yes if they were paid off they still have to face their maker. You can not get away with anything, maybe on this earth, but after that everyone who was involved or knew will pay the price. We need to not wish death on people,it's evil and it will come back on you,your family or someone close. Blacks need to pull together and take these negative incidences and turn them into something positive. Start holding meetings for the youth and talk about crime. Clean it up, pray instead of talking ignorant! This could be your father, mother, sister, brother, son, daughter eventually. STOP THE MADDNESS AND CRAZYNESS, it does not make you a man to kill or rob. Other races are laughing every time a black man kills a black man-this is what they want. It's time to pull your pants up and show the world that you black men are intelligent, smart and can do anything you put your mind to do! You are suppose to be kings. IF YOU WANT TO FIGHT-PLEASE ENLIST IN THE WAR-I AM SURE THEY CAN USE YOU THERE.

Atleast the barber only shot him once; IF APD WAS INVOLVED HE MIGHT OF BEEN HIT FIFTY TIMES.My condolences goes out to the family. NO ONE HAS THE RIGHT TO TAKE A LIFE; Gun users dont know how to aim, all they know is how to shot. Knot who ever *** to the ground. Everyones life is precious. Why does everyone has to shot to kill. Situations and surroundings all involves common sense.

I FIND IT VERY DISTRUBING THAT PEOPLE ARE BASCILLY SAY OR THINK THAT LEON WALKER WAS A BAD PERSON.. ONLY IF U REAALY KNEW..... FYI TO ALL OF THE IGNORANT PEOPLE THAT WAS TRYING TO THROW DIRT ON LOEN WALKERS NAME AND WHO ARE JUST CHARACTERIZE HIM FROM WHATEVER THE NEW PAPER NEVER MET HIM AND DIDNT KNOW HIM WHAT SO EVER LEON WAS ONE OF THE MOST DOWN TO EARTH YOUNG MAN THAT I HAVE EVER MET.HE WAS VERY FUNNY AND SMART. SO REGURDLESS WHAT THE PEOPLE THAT DIDNT KNOW HIM IS SAYING HE WAS A GOOD PERSON FRIEND AND SON . AND THAT IS FROM A PERON THAT ACTUALLY KNEW HIM.....!!! AND HE DIDNT DESERVE IT THERE ARE PEOPLE IN THE WORLD THAT COMMITT WAY WORST CRIMES IN THE WORLD SUCH AS REAL KILLER ,RAPIST, ECT.... SO LETS GET REAL.... FIY LEON WILL ALWAY BE MISSED AND NEVER FORGOTTEN AND I IAM PROUD TO HAD THE CHANCE TO KNOW HIM WE LOVE U AND U WILL ALWAYZ B LOVED DEAD OR ALIVE U STILL EXIST IN OUR HEART AND I AND EVERY ONE THAT KNEW U KNOWS THE REAL....... PS J.W.B.S