Man arrested after fatal shooting outside his business in Montgomery County

HATBORO, Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- A man was arrested in Montgomery County after a fatal shooting happened outside of his business on Saturday night.

Authorities announced that 41-year-old Maurice Byrd, of Horsham, was in custody for the death of 37-year-old Stephen Strassburg, of Hatboro.

The incident happened just before 6 p.m. when Hatboro police responded to Razor Reese's Salon and Spa on North York Road.

The spa is owned by Byrd, according to investigators.

Officers arrived to find Strassburg in the business parking lot suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

An investigation later found that there was allegedly an ongoing dispute between Byrd and Strassburg, who lived above Byrd's salon.

Police say they responded to the location three times for verbal disputes between the two men since 2022.

According to police, Byrd called 911 at 5:45 p.m. to say that he was being verbally assaulted by Strassburg, who was allegedly using racial slurs.

Byrd also said Strassburg had grabbed his shirt and looked like he was about to punch him.

That's when the 911 dispatcher reported hearing five gunshots, then a pause, then another two gunshots.

The criminal complaint in this case states that Strassburg was shot three times, and after the shots were fired, Byrd said, "I just had to shoot him."

At the scene, police say they recovered seven 9mm fired cartridge casings.

Police also say they recovered a 9mm Smith & Wesson semi-automatic handgun, which was registered to Byrd. Byrd has a valid permit to carry a firearm.

Strassburg did not have a weapon during the incident, officers say.

Witnesses reportedly told police that they heard the verbal assault and Strassburg was the instigator.

Denise Costello says she heard the gunshots from her business, Tiano Hair and Beauty Salon.

"It was crazy because you don't expect that here," Costello noted. "You get a little shaken up. Your faith in humanity kind of goes down a bit, but you can't escape. Things just happen."

A nearby business owner told Action News he heard the gunshots and ran out to help Strassburg.

"I just go into a mode where I'm like, this is what I need to do," recalled Jay McColm, owner of Sky Blue Piercing. "Somebody is bleeding. I'm not really going to think about anything else and I went there and held some gauze until the paramedics came. I just feel really bad. It was a horrible situation."

Strassburg's family told Action News he was a hardworking man and the rock of the family. He was also a father who left behind one child.

Byrd has since been charged with first-degree murder, third-degree murder, and possessing an instrument of crime. He remains in custody.