Hairtasia Owner Found Murdered

A SWAT team stands ready next door to Hairtasia – The Bay Net photos by Sean Rice

After several hours of staging for a hostage situation, police entered Hairtasia Haircutters Monday evening to find the owner Robert Phipps Sr., 61, of Prince George’s County, murdered.

Lt. Daniel Alioto, commander of the St. Mary’s Bureau of Criminal Investigations, said Phipps suffered head wounds in an attack but the exact cause of death is pending an autopsy by the Baltimore Medical Examiner.

A suspect was not found at the scene.

At approximately 5 p.m. St. Mary’s dispatch received a 911 call for a possible armed robbery in progress at Hairtasia.

By 5:10 p.m. police had the building surrounded and confirmed there was someone inside the shop laying face down on the floor. Police attempted to call the phone inside the shop but there was no answer and no culprit could be seen from outside.

By 5:25 p.m. police had the entire plaza locked down, sealing off entrances and exits, and all businesses, including Sun Trust Bank, were evacuated.

Tactical teams entered the building at approximately 8 pm. to find only the victim.

More details coming.