Friend says man killed in barbershop shooting was talented, 'great guy'

LAFAYETTE PARISH, La. (KLFY) -- Friends of Johnny Trailer Jr., who was tragically killed over the weekend, say the 48-year-old Lafayette man was an amazing, talented person who will be missed dearly.

Trailer was killed Saturday in a shooting that occurred around 9 a.m. at a barbershop where he worked on Louisiana Avenue between Mudd Avenue and Simcoe Street. Lafayette police say a customer was also severely injured in the shooting.

Marcus Onezime, a friend of Trailer, said the Lafayette barber leaves a lasting impact behind.

"What a tragedy for us to have to experience losing him," Onezime said.

Onezime expresses nothing but kind words and gratitude for Trailer, Jr.

"He wasn't the type of person who gave an aura of being disrespectful or having anything in his midst to make someone want to do something to him. He was just a great guy, an amazing young man, an amazing young man," Onezime said.

Onezime said Trailer had hidden talents, such as the ability to play piano. He discovered Trailer's talent while they were out of state for a tournament. There was a roped-off piano in the hotel lobby. 

"He crossed the line and started playing the piano, and I mean, amazing. And what was amazing about it is that everybody started coming downstairs, and like the whole lobby filled up with people watching him and listening to him play the piano," Onezime said

Trailer Jr. is said to have been a great father figure, mentor, and coach.

"A friend he was. It's a great loss to the community. I'm sure it's a great loss to his family, to his kid, and to his wife. We're going to miss him dearly," Onezime said.

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