On June 8, 2024, in Hatboro, Pennsylvania, 37-year-old Stephen Strassburg was fatally shot during an altercation with his neighbor, 41-year-old Maurice Byrd, owner of Razor Reese’s Salon and Spa. The incident occurred in the parking lot of Byrd's business, where Strassburg, who resided in an apartment above the salon, was found with multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to Abington Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Investigations revealed a history of disputes between Strassburg and Byrd, with police having responded to verbal altercations between the two men on three occasions since December 2022. On the day of the shooting, Byrd called 911 at approximately 5:45 p.m., reporting that Strassburg was verbally assaulting him and using racial slurs. While Byrd was on the phone with the dispatcher, seven gunshots were heard—five initially, followed by a pause, and then two more. At the scene, authorities recovered seven 9mm fired cartridge casings and a 9mm Smith & Wesson semi-automatic handgun registered to Byrd, who possessed a valid permit to carry a firearm. Strassburg was unarmed at the time of the shooting.
Byrd was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, third-degree murder, and possessing an instrument of crime. He is currently held without bail at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility. Witnesses reported that Strassburg had initiated the confrontation by directing racial slurs at Byrd and approaching him aggressively. Byrd claimed that Strassburg grabbed his shirt and appeared poised to strike him, prompting Byrd to draw his firearm and shoot Strassburg multiple times.
The incident has garnered significant attention due to the racial elements involved and the fatal outcome of a longstanding neighborly dispute. Strassburg's family, including his sister Emily, who was present at the scene, expressed profound grief over his death, which occurred just days before his 38th birthday. A GoFundMe campaign was established to assist with funeral expenses. The case continues to be a focal point in discussions about community relations and the use of lethal force in confrontations.
