Murder Cold Case Cracked

PENSACOLA, Fla. (WALA) - In 2007 a Pensacola barber, Barry Shipp, was found shot to death in his barber shop “Arnold House of Styles.”

For years, no one was held accountable for the crime.

Now five years later, U.S. Marshals said they've arrested a suspect, 31-year-old Demarcus Ledent.

In 2007, electronic billboards with Shipp's face were built in Pensacola to help catch his killer. Neighbors close to the shop called it a murder mystery.

"The barbershop was covered in bullet holes, but nobody heard anything,” said one neighbor who didn’t want to be identified.

Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said they remember the crime as a “senseless tragedy.”  
Now, the case will move forward with a suspect in custody.

“Through the forensics, we were able to identify the suspect which was Ledent. U.S Marshals, and their task force were able to locate him in Spokane,Washington,” said Sgt. Mike Ward.

Authorities said Ledent adamantly denied knowing Shipp or even being in Pensacola at the time.

Neighbors think the killer couldn’t have known the beloved barber.

“We’ve always said it was somebody from out of town, because Barry was a nice person. He was friendly to everybody and everybody loved him,” said a neighbor.

Authorities said Ledent is currently awaiting extradition from Washington.