In the early hours of a Tuesday morning in July 2017, Zanu Simpson, a 32-year-old Jamaican-born man, was fatally shot in a violent encounter in Queens, New York. A well-regarded barber and co-owner of the Strictly Skillz barbershop in Hollis, Simpson was a beloved figure in his community, known for his generosity and for mentoring local youth. His death sent shockwaves through the neighborhood, leaving friends and family grappling with the sudden loss of a man they described as a peaceful and
hardworking community leader.
The tragic events unfolded around 12:15 a.m. after Simpson had left the Breezes Island Grill in Rosedale. He was sitting alone in his white BMW X5 when he was accosted. A witness driving by reported seeing a man in a charcoal gray hoodie leaning into Simpson's driver's side window and repeatedly punching him before hearing a gunshot. When the witness circled back, they saw Simpson slumped over in his seat. Police arrived to find him with multiple gunshot wounds to the head. He was rushed to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Investigators believe the motive for the attack was a botched robbery, with the assailant targeting Simpson for his jewelry. Found scattered on the street near his vehicle were some of his belongings, including a gold ring, his glasses, and cash. A gun, believed to be the murder weapon, was also recovered at the scene.
Within days, the New York Police Department identified a suspect: 31-year-old Tyson Boateng. At the time, Boateng was an ex-convict who had been released on parole just months earlier after serving time for a drug conviction. He was described by authorities as having several prior arrests. In August 2017, Boateng surrendered to the police. However, information regarding any subsequent trial, conviction, or sentencing for the murder of Zanu Simpson is not available in online sources.
