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Updated 2:15 PM- Salt Lake City police hope a $5,000 reward will help lead them to a man they believe shot and killed a 24-year-old hairdresser during a holdup Wednesday afternoon.
A relative identified the woman as Faviola Hernandez. She was killed about 4:40 p.m. when a man entered the Bushwacker Hair & Tanning salon, and shot her with a silver handgun, police said.
Officers did not say where or how many times the woman was shot.
Hernandez was with a male customer and two children, ages 12 and 6, when the gunman entered the shop, located at 1329 W. California Ave., said police spokesman Detective Jeff Bedard.
Hernandez owned and operated the salon, according to family and workers in neighboring businesses.
"She was an outgoing, great person, very lively," said 22-year-old Anthony Martinez, the victim's cousin. "She didn't deserve this," he said through tears.
Alysha Lykins is a former classmate of Hernandez who works at The Hook & Ladder Co., Fire Station No. 13, a burger and ice cream parlor a few doors down from the salon where the shooting took place.
"She did a really good job. She did good work and was a good person," Lykins said. "She was the sweetest girl in the world. Just too beautiful, just so beautiful."
The gunman is described as a male Hispanic in his early twenties, 5' 8" tall, 220 pounds, with a shaved head. He was last seen wearing a baggy white T-shirt, blue denim shorts and white tennis shoes.
Bedard said the suspect is described as having a tattoo on the inside of his right arm, extending from his wrist to his elbow. The tattoo is dark blue or purple in color, with flames and possibly a face or an animal depicted.
Investigators are checking whether the tatoo description matches those that may be on file, Bedard said.
"When somebody is booked, their scars, marks and tatoos are generally documented," he said. "That's something we are following up on right now."
Witnesses reported seeing a green compact vehicle, possibly a Honda, leaving the scene of the shooting. Bedard said police are attempting to locate that vehicle to determine whether it was involved in the incident.
The business did not have a surveillance camera installed, he said.
Anyone who recognizes the suspect is asked to call the Salt Lake City Police Department's "Tips For Cash" hotline at (801) 799-INFO. A $5,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect. Callers may remain anonymous.
The shooting happened an hour after students at Mountain View Elementary School across the street registered for the school year.
Wednesday's killing was the eighth this month, making August the deadliest month in Utah so far this year.
The second-most deadly month was February, when seven people were killed in homicides, including five in the Trolley Square massacre.