Cops: Escapee shot man to avenge mom

A Massachusetts barber shot inside his shop over the weekend was targeted because his son allegedly had wounded the gunman's mother the week before, a law enforcement official said yesterday.

Tamik Kirkland, 24, is accused of wounding the barber and killing a customer at the barbershop in Springfield on Saturday, minutes before wounding two police officers in a shootout. Kirkland had escaped last week from a state prison in Shirley, about 40 miles northwest of Boston, with plans to avenge his mother's shooting, authorities have said.

The barber, whose name hasn't been released, is the father of a man suspected of shooting Kirkland's mother and another woman on April 23, said the law-enforcement official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The 48-year-old barber was hospitalized in critical condition. Police were still seeking his son yesterday afternoon.

Kirkland, whose last known address was in Springfield, was shot several times by officers and remained hospitalized under police guard at Bay State Medical Center. Authorities say his condition has improved to stable from serious. It's not clear when he will be arraigned on charges including murder, three counts of armed assault with intent to murder and armed home invasion.

City and state police, meanwhile, continue to search for another suspect they say had a role in the shooting at Bill Brown's House of Beauty, Barber Shop and Supply. Authorities have a warrant for Trevin Smith, 30, of Springfield, charging him with being an accessory after the fact to Saturday's killing. Details of the charge haven't been released.

The slain customer was identified as 24-year-old Sheldon Innocent, of Wilbraham.

Police say he had no connection to Kirkland or the shooting of Kirkland's mother.

Kirkland was serving 2 1/2 to four years on gun and drug charges. He was eligible for parole next February and escaped from prison after learning his mother was wounded in a shooting, police said.