KINGSTON, Jamaica — The popular Jamaican born barber shot dead outside a Queens bar this week was targeted for his jewelry by an ex-con paroled in January on a drug conviction, US police said Friday.

Zanu Simpson, 32, was sitting in his vehicle when he was shot in the head three times early Tuesday morning outside the Queens bar.

According to US media reports police are hunting 31-year-old accused killer Tyson Boateng.

A witness who drove by the crime scene told police a man in a charcoal gray hoodie leaned into the driver’s side window of Simpson’s vehicle and repeatedly punched him. Then the witness heard a gunshot and saw Simpson slumped over in his seat.

Simpson’s belongings, including a gold ring, glasses and cash, were found near his $60,000 white BMW X5. Police also found a gun believed to be the murder weapon and a live round.

Boateng was conditionally released by parole officials after he was convicted of selling drugs on Long Island and sentenced to up to four years in prison.

Simpson, who worked with his brother at the Strickly Skillz Barbershop in Hollis, died at Jamaica Hospital around 1:00 am Tuesday.