Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – A man is in custody following the fatal stabbing of a Haitian immigrant on a routine walk to work in the Mount Airy neighborhood. The victim, Jean Schultz Junio Laurent, 51, died Tuesday morning after being attacked on Wadsworth Avenue around 7:23 a.m.
Authorities have arrested 48-year-old Scott Hilton, charging him with murder in connection with Laurent’s death. Family members described Laurent, a married father of three, as a gentle and caring individual who sought a better life in the United States.
Laurent, who resided in Abington, was reportedly on his way to June’s Kitchen, where he worked as a dishwasher. His niece, Alex Belly, shared her bewilderment over the incident, expressing disbelief that anyone would want to harm her uncle. “We’re still trying to make sense of everything,” she said, emphasizing Laurent’s dedication to his family and his efforts to improve his English.
Witnesses recounted that Laurent was catching a bus near Easton Road and Cheltenham Avenue when he encountered the assault during his brief walk to work. Belly indicated that there had been no previous threats against him and characterized the attack as random. “We don’t know anyone who would want to hurt my uncle,” she said.
Surveillance footage from the area captured the moments leading up to the incident, showing Laurent walking peacefully before collapsing on the street. Two local residents who were cleaning nearby rushed to render aid, but it was too late.
Laurent immigrated to the United States a few years ago, fleeing Haiti in search of opportunity. In his home country, he was a respected literature professor, author, and journalist. His family now grapples with the loss of a kind and soft-spoken person who they believe had no enemies.
Authorities have yet to reveal a motive behind the stabbing, and court documents regarding Hilton’s arrest were not immediately available. As the investigation continues, family and friends remember Laurent for his compassion and the joy he brought to those around him.