Philadelphia man shoots neighbor after racial slur in ongoing feud
In a tragic escalation of a longstanding conflict, Maurice Byrd, a 41-year-old business owner from Hatboro, Pennsylvania, is facing first-degree murder charges. This comes after the fatal shooting of his upstairs neighbor, Stephen Strassburg, 37, after being called a racial slur.
The Leadup to The Altercation
The incident occurred on Saturday, June 8, when tensions between the two neighbors erupted into violence. Byrd, who is Black and owns Razor Reese’s Salon and Spa. He had a history of disputes with Strassburg, a white resident living above his business.
According to police reports and charging documents, Byrd was on the phone with 911 operators, attempting to report Strassburg for what he described as “verbal assault,” when Strassburg allegedly shouted:
“What are you going to do, you going to shoot me, [N-word]?”
The Actual Incident and Byrd’s Response
The slur was reportedly followed by Byrd discharging his 9-mm. Smith & Wesson semi-automatic handgun, firing a total of seven shots.
“I just had to shoot him,”
Byrd allegedly told 911 dispatchers immediately after the incident, as reported by the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Witnesses corroborated the account. They stated that Strassburg had provoked Byrd by calling him a “drug dealer.” In addition, he kept using the N-word during the altercation. The situation intensified as the two men nearly engaged in physical violence before Byrd opened fire.
The Police Response
Hatboro Police Chief James Gardner stated that the department had been called to mediate disputes between Byrd and Strassburg three times in the past 18 months. Thus, highlighting the ongoing tension between the two. Authorities had previously ordered both parties to avoid each other. However, the conflict culminated in the fatal confrontation on Saturday.
Investigators recovered seven bullet casings at the scene and confirmed that Strassburg was unarmed at the time of the shooting.
Byrd was taken into custody and charged with both first-degree and third-degree murder. He is currently being held in Montgomery County jail without bail, awaiting further legal proceedings.
“This is a tragic outcome of what appears to be a deeply rooted and heated conflict,” said a spokesperson for the Hatboro Police Department. “Our thoughts are with the families affected by this senseless act of violence.”
The incident has sparked discussions about the impact of racial tensions and the challenges of resolving neighbor disputes peacefully. As the investigation continues, the community remains shocked and saddened by the events that unfolded.
Byrd’s legal team has yet to release a statement regarding the charges. The case highlights the severe consequences that can arise from unresolved disputes and the need for effective conflict resolution strategies.
Source: NY Daily News
