Hector Figuereo was a beloved barber, a dedicated son, and a cherished friend known for his kindness and the easy connections he forged with people. A 45-year-old man of Dominican descent, he worked at the Fresh on 4th Barbershop in his home neighborhood of Sunset Park, Brooklyn. Friends and customers remembered him as a family man who was deeply committed to caring for his mother, especially after his father passed away from cancer a few years prior.
He was so well-loved that his death left what friends described as an "unfathomable hole" in their hearts. His longtime friend Sam Lebron recalled, "His presence touched more people than he probably ever realized. As a barber, he had a way of connecting with people-not just through his craft, but through the conversations, friendships, and relationships built in the chair."
In the early morning hours of Thursday, September 24, 2026, Figuereo was out celebrating a friend's birthday, just three days before his own. The celebration led him to the Riviera Gentlemen's Club on Steinway Street in Astoria, Queens. At approximately 3:45 a.m., as he stood outside the club, a masked man in a hooded sweatsuit approached him from behind. The assailant demanded Figuereo’s handmade Miami Cuban-link bracelet, a valuable piece of jewelry he often wore. During the attempted robbery, a struggle ensued, and the robber shot Figuereo once in the back.
Medics arrived at the scene near 34th Avenue and rushed Figuereo to Elmhurst Hospital. Despite their efforts, he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. The gunman fled the scene empty-handed, escaping in a white Mercedes-Benz SUV that was last seen heading north on 37th Street. The news was devastating for his family; upon identifying her son's body at the hospital, Figuereo's mother suffered a "mini heart attack" and had to be admitted for care.
The New York City Police Department's 114th Precinct launched an investigation into the homicide. Detectives gathered evidence and reviewed surveillance footage from the area. The club's manager told reporters he believed the attack was personal, noting that the gunman appeared to have been waiting inside the club and watching Figuereo before following him outside. Police released several surveillance images to the public, showing the suspect sitting outside the club, aiming his weapon, and the white SUV used as a getaway vehicle. The suspect was described as wearing a green Nike Tech sweatsuit and a mask.
The killing marked the fifth homicide in the 114th Precinct that year, more than double the number from the previous year, leaving local business owners and community members shaken. As of late September 2026, no arrests had been made, and the shooter remained at large. The investigation is ongoing.
The grief over Figuereo's senseless death rippled through his community. The night after the shooting, hundreds of friends and customers gathered at his Sunset Park barbershop for a candlelight vigil, sharing emotional memories. The outpouring of love continued on social media, where friends posted heartfelt tributes. "To know that someone I cared about so deeply was taken from this world through such a senseless act is heartbreaking," Lebron wrote on Facebook. Another friend, Edwin Cabrera, who owned the barbershop where Figuereo worked, recalled their last conversation just hours before the murder. "He was cutting hair. Regular normal day," he said, still in disbelief. "Everybody loved him."
Authorities are asking for the public's help to identify the person responsible for Hector Figuereo's death. A reward of up to $3,500 has been offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect. Anyone with information is urged to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). Tips can also be submitted online or through social media. All calls are kept confidential.
