Family mourns father murdered on way to work in Philly | Latest Lifestyle News
A 51-year-old father and husband from Abington Township was fatally stabbed early Tuesday morning while walking to work in the Cedarbrook section of Philadelphia, according to police.
Jean Schultz Laurent Jr. had just gotten off a bus and was headed to his job at June’s Kitchen on Wadsworth Avenue when he was attacked.
Surveillance video captured the moment two men found him collapsed on the sidewalk and attempted to help.
“The guys that clean the leaves and sweep up the street saw him, and they went up to help him, and they actually was giving him CPR,” said Chanda Anderson, owner of Uptown Hair Studio.
Jean Schultz Laurent Jr.
Laurent was transported to a hospital, where he died a short time later from a puncture wound to the chest.
Police said the suspect fled the scene. On Wednesday, authorities announced the arrest of 48-year-old Scott Hilton, who is now facing murder and other charges in connection with the killing.
“I don’t know why this happened to our good uncle Junior,” said Carla Belly, Laurent’s niece. “He’s like a hardworking man. He didn’t deserve something like this.”
Family members said Laurent had been in the United States for less than two years after fleeing violence in Haiti. They described him as a professor and author who aspired to teach French to college students once he became fluent in English.
“He escaped the horrors of Haiti only to be killed here in the U.S., where he was promised to be safe, is crazy,” said niece Alexandra Belly.
Relatives said Laurent mostly kept to himself and spoke little English.
“He was very gentle, he didn’t bother anybody,” Alexandra Belly said. “Wanting to know why this occurred, why it happened, and definitely justice for our uncle.”
Police have not released information about a possible motive. Hilton has a criminal history in Philadelphia dating back to 2011, including charges of assault, harassment, stalking and robbery.
Laurent is survived by his wife and three children, the youngest just 3 years old.
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