Barbershop Owner Charged with Murder After Neighbor’s Racial Slurs

A Montgomery County barbershop proprietor, Maurice Byrd, 41, has been charged with the homicide of his neighbor, Stephen Strassburg, 37, after a deadly taking pictures outdoors Razor Reese’s Salon and Spa in Hatboro, Pennsylvania.

The incident occurred on June 8, 2024, when Byrd known as 911, claiming he was being harassed by Strassburg, who repeatedly used a racial slur towards him. In the course of the name, the dispatcher heard a number of gunshots.

Authorities discovered Strassburg with a number of gunshot wounds. He later died on the hospital. Byrd instructed the dispatcher, “I just had to shoot him,” after Strassburg allegedly lunged at him and continued to verbally assault him.

Witnesses corroborated that Strassburg, who lived above the barbershop, had a historical past of disputes with Byrd and had used racial slurs throughout their altercations. Byrd was arrested and charged with first-degree and third-degree homicide, and possession of a weapon. He stays in custody with out bail.