Hatboro Barber Not Guilty After Shooting Neighbor in Self-Defense During Racially Charged Attack Leave a comment

JUST IN: Maurice Byrd Jr. Found NOT GUILTY Of Murder Charges In Connection With The June 8, 2024 Fatal Shooting.

During The Altercation Outside His Business, The Victim Called Him A “N*GGER” And Attempted To Assault Him. Bryd Then Fired Several Shots… pic.twitter.com/rjM5Xu02YU

— i Expose Racists & Pedos (@SeeRacists) March 29, 2025

HATBORO, PA — A Montgomery County jury has found former barber and Army veteran Maurice Byrd not guilty on all homicide charges in the fatal shooting of his neighbor, Stephen Strassburg, during a violent altercation outside Byrd’s Hatboro business in June 2024. The jury agreed Byrd acted in justifiable self-defense.

After nearly ten months behind bars, Byrd, 42, walked free from the courtroom last Thursday with a smile and a message: “We fought a great fight, and the truth prevailed.”

Ongoing Threats & a History of Hostility

Byrd, the owner of Razor Reese’s Salon and Spa, had been locked in a long-running conflict with Strassburg, who lived in an upstairs apartment above the shop. Police have responded to disputes between the two men at least three times since 2022. But things came to a deadly head on June 8, 2024.

That day, Byrd called 911 to report that Strassburg, allegedly intoxicated and aggressive, was verbally abusing him using racial slurs and threatening violence. A 911 dispatcher urged Byrd to stay inside his shop and wait for officers. But Strassburg reportedly continued the confrontation outside, with surveillance footage showing him chasing Byrd and throwing punches.

Despite being outmatched physically—Byrd is smaller, has combat injuries, and was recovering from past service wounds—the Army vet legally carried a 9mm handgun for protection. During the attack, Byrd fired seven shots, hitting Strassburg twice in the neck and back. The footage also showed Byrd backing up as he fired, then calmly placing his weapon on the ground and waiting for police.

Byrd told dispatchers immediately, “I just had to shoot him. He came after me. He’s down.”

Jury Agrees: It Was Self-Defense

Prosecutors from the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office had pushed for a first-degree murder conviction, arguing Byrd could have stayed inside and avoided the fight. They claimed Byrd “wanted to kill” Strassburg and pulled the trigger seven times during what they portrayed as a verbal dispute.

But the jury rejected that narrative.

Byrd’s defense attorneys, Joseph Schultz and Scott Frame, portrayed Strassburg as an “angry, racist, drunk maniac” who had terrorized Byrd for years. Witnesses confirmed that Strassburg used hate speech, accused Byrd of being a drug dealer, and physically attacked him.

“The strongest evidence we had was Maurice,” Frame said. “A peaceful business owner, a war hero, forced to defend himself against a violent, unhinged man.”

Byrd did not testify, but his calm 911 call, his cooperation with police, and character witnesses supporting his reputation for peace and honesty all resonated with the jury. After five hours of deliberation, they returned a full acquittal.

Maurice Byrd Jr., with his lawyers after the jury ACQUITTED him!!!

Source: https://t.co/P7idlT2yPY pic.twitter.com/qC95UwMakH

— i Expose Racists & Pedos (@SeeRacists) March 29, 2025

A God-Given Right to Self-Defense

For many Americans, this case is yet another clear reminder of why the right to bear arms—especially for law-abiding citizens—is essential. Byrd, a combat veteran, legally owned and carried his handgun. When a violent aggressor with a history of harassment attacked, he used it to protect his life.

Had Byrd not been armed, the outcome could’ve been very different.

Life After the Trial

Byrd lost his business and his home while awaiting trial. But rather than grow bitter, he’s looking ahead with purpose. Inspired by his time navigating the legal system, he now plans to go to law school and help others who find themselves in legal limbo.

“I see myself going right back to that jailhouse—this time to help people understand their cases,” Byrd said. “There are men in there who don’t understand what they’re up against. I want to change that.”

Byrd says he’s thankful to God, his legal team, and the jury. But he also acknowledges the tragedy of the moment.

“I respect the verdict. I’m sorry this had to happen. And I hope everyone involved can start to heal,” he said.

Bottom line: The Constitution protected Maurice Byrd when nothing else would. In today’s world—especially when law enforcement can’t be everywhere—you have to be able to protect yourself. Byrd did just that. And the jury made the right call.

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