DETROIT (WWJ) - A suspect is in custody as Detroit police investigate the death of an Oakland County hair stylist on Detroit's east side.
Bashar Kallabat, 56, died of his injures following an assault at the JZ Motel, according to police.
"He's a nationally-known hair stylist with a 20-year stellar career," Detroit Police Chief James Craig told reporters Wednesday. "In fact, he's revered by many, loved by many, and so our heart and prayers go out to the family of this victim."
Officers were called to the motel on 8 Mile Rd. near Gratiot Ave. at around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday — after Kallabat was found badly beaten.
The motel manager, who asked to be identified as Devan, told WWJ's Charlie Langton that the motel's HD surveillance cameras captured chilling footage from the night.
"He's a regular, he rented a room at 6:30," Devan said. "After looking at the camera footage, another male went into the room about 15-20 minutes after. Around 9:30, one male walked out, the one that came in after, and the door was propped open."
Devan said the front desk manager then walked by the room and made the terrible discovery. "He seen a puddle of blood, so he walked into the room and he seen that the guy was unconscious, lying on the floor. He called me; I rushed over and at that time the male was still breathing," Devan said.
Kallabat was pronounced dead at a local hospital. The 24-year-old suspect, who works as a security guard, was later taken into custody near Brewery Park.
The chief said an investigation revealed that Kallabat had been in contact with the suspect prior to the slaying; and that this may have been a hookup gone wrong.
"We have speculation as to that maybe a dating app was used," Craig said. "We know that a ride share was used to connect."
The cause of death is believed to be blunt force trauma.
Craig credited, in part, the city's Project Green Light video system for the arrest.
"Based on the Green Light footage that our detectives immediately acquired, we could see the suspect. He was wearing a very distinctive security guard uniform or jacket," Craig said. "We had a good description, but from that work we were able to tack back to the ride share company, and a 12-hour investigation led us to where the suspect was located...within 12 hours of this heinous crime."
"Had it not been for our Green Light at his motel, this may have been a 'Who dun it?'" the chief said.
While Craig did not speculate as to a motive for the killing, he did offer the public a warning:
"Certainly if you are meeting someone from a dating app, one, you meet in public. Secondly, you let someone know where you're going," the chief said. "Especially when you're talking about someone coming to a location via ride share and you're paying for it. That certainly can put you at risk."
Devan said Kallabat, who owned Bashar Artiste salon Birmingham, was a frequent customer and a nice guy.
"He stayed to himself," Devan said. "He always wanted a room downstairs, it was easy for him to walk into it. He'd come maybe once a month, twice a month," Devan said. "It's a tragedy. We didn't expect it. We're just in complete shock."
The name of the suspect, who was on probation for a 2017 unarmed robbery, according to police, was not immediately released.
Anyone with information about this case should contact the Detroit Police Department's Homicide Unit at 313-596-2260. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.