Family mourns father murdered on way to work in Philly
51 year old father and husband Abington County He was fatally stabbed on his way to work in the Cedarbrook section of Philadelphia early Tuesday morning, according to police.
Jean Schultz Laurent Jr. He had just gotten off the bus and was heading to his job at June’s Kitchen on Wadsworth Boulevard when he was attacked.
The moment when two men found him unconscious on the sidewalk and tried to help him was captured on security camera.
“The guys who were clearing leaves and sweeping the street saw him and went to help him and were actually giving him CPR,” said Chanda Anderson, owner of Uptown Hair Studio.
Jean Schultz Laurent Jr.
Laurent was taken to hospital and died a short time later from a blow to his chest.
Police reported that the suspect fled the scene. On Wednesday, authorities announced the arrest of 48-year-old Scott Hilton, who is now facing murder and other murder-related charges.
“I don’t know why this happened to our good uncle Junior,” said Carla Belly, Laurent’s niece. “He seems like a hard-working 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 writer who aimed to teach French to college students after becoming fluent in English.
“It’s crazy that he fled the horrors of Haiti only to be killed here in the United States, where he was promised safety,” said niece Alexandra Belly.
Relatives said Laurent was mostly withdrawn and spoke little English.
“He was very gentle, he didn’t bother anyone,” Alexandra Belly said. “We want to know why this happened, why it happened, and we definitely want justice for our uncle.”
Police did not provide information on a possible motive. Hilton has a criminal history in Philadelphia dating back to 2011 that includes charges of assault, harassment, stalking and robbery.
Laurent is survived by his wife and three children, the youngest of whom is only 3 years old.
