Authorities ID Woman Found Shot to Death in Pickup Truck

By Christina Georgiou

Amanda Stratford, 28, listed on
her Facebook page as having worked
as a bartender and originally from the
Wilkes-Barre area, was named by authorities
Thursday afternoon as being the woman
who was found dead of gunshot wounds
in a green pickup truck in Easton's
West Ward late Sunday night.
Facebook photo

Authorities say the victim found shot to death in the driver's seat of a green Dodge pickup truck on the 100 block of South Peach St. late Sunday night was 28-year-old Amanda Stratford, who had no known address.

Stratford was also known in the Lehigh Valley area by her street name, "Money", said Easton Police Detective Matt Gerould.

"We believe she was involved in the drug trade," he said, but police aren't saying whether they believe her alleged illegal activities led to her murder.

"We're not going to discuss motive at this point," he said.

Stratford was shot multiple times authorities say, and Northampton County Coroner Zachary Lysek has ruled her death a homicide as a result of gunshot wounds.

Police still declined to say Thursday where Stratford was shot or name the number of times.

"The investigation is still ongoing," Gerould said.

Easton Police scour the scene of the homicide of
Amanda Stratford early Monday morning. Stratford was
found shot to death in the driver's seat of a green Dodge
pickup truck in the 100 block of the South Peach Street
alley in the city's West Ward late Sunday night.

Stratford's death does not appear to be related to two stabbing incidents that have taken place recently nearby, Gerould said.

"We never rule anything out, but it doesn't appear (that the crimes connected)," he said.

He added that some people who knew Stratford might only have known her by her street name, and that he hopes the release of that information might lead to tips police can use to find her killer.

Easton Police are asking anyone with information about Stratford's death to call 610-759-2200, 610-250-6656 or the Easton Police tip line at 610-250-6635. Callers may remain anonymous.


Updated at 2:40 p.m. to add a photo.

Community Hot Dog Day Provides Party, Advocates for Safe Neighborhoods

By Christina Georgiou

Overcast skies couldn't dampen the spirits of the couple hundred people gathered in West Ward Easton's Centennial Park Sunday for the fourth annual "Free Community Hot Dog Day", celebrated for the last four years to commemorate the life of Khaliq Al Shabazz and others whose lives have been taken by gun violence.

It's been nearly eight years since Al Shabazz was shot and killed in his Florida residence. The Easton man had just moved there a few months before. Neighbors reportedly heard the gunshots, yet no one called police. He was found by his wife when she returned home from work.


Khaliq Al Shabazz's sister, Patricia
Al Ford, talks about the devastating
effects of gun violence.
Click on any photo for
a full size view.

The homicide case has yet to be solved.



 "He laid there and bled to death because no one called," said Patricia Al Ford, Al Shabazz's sister and one of the organizers of the event."

She urged attendees to call police, anonymously if necessary, in the case of gun fire or violence.

West Ward resident Yvonne Gilbert watches over a table
of goodies for the kids.

Local district magistrate candidate Lance Wheeler also urged the crowd to do the right thing if they see or hear of a crime.

"Remember, don't be afraid to get involved and tell. Those that don't tell are involved in the crime," he said. "Guns don't kill people, people do. And remember, if you know someone that doesn't have a license, they shouldn't have a gun."

Al Shabazz was an activist, the founder of "Guns Down", which advocated non-violence. "Snoopy", as Al Shabazz was called by to those close to him, also was known for his neighborhood cookouts. Setting up a grill, he'd feed any and all who happened by.

"We started this, me and my girlfriend, four years ago," said Veronica Clark Bullett. "We thought, what can we do? And she was like, 'he gave out hot dogs all the time.'"

With kids laughing and playing in the streets, both adults and children dancing, raffle prizes, toys and other goodies, and of course, free hot dogs for all, event attendees clearly had a wonderful time.


West Ward resident Dale Gibbons
enjoys a hot dog.



But the importance of eliminating violence and keeping the neighborhood safe wasn't far from the minds of many.

West Ward resident Dale Gibbons summed it up with, "Summer, winter, spring, and fall, we want our streets safe for all."



Magisterial judge candidate Lance Wheeler picks raffle
tickets.





Dancing in the streets...



Free Community Hot Dog Day organizers Veronica Clark Bullett
and Patricia Al Ford.



Palmer Township DJ John Harvey, along with his son Kylar, 15, donated their services to the event. "My dad does this every year because he grew up here," Kylar said.

West Ward residents Scott Wolf and Michael Fillebrown, with cockatiel "Jackie". Wolf said he found the bird, who is very friendly and affectionate, about three weeks ago. "We don't know if it's a boy or a girl," Wolf said. "He gets along with my dog too. (The dog) lets him ride on his back." The bird is named after Jackie Chan

Man Commits Suicide at Williams Gun Range

A man reportedly shot himself in the head late Friday afternoon at 4:55 p.m. at the Heritage Guild gun range in Williams Township.

Mark Murray, 54, of Alpha, NJ, was pronounced dead at the scene, Northampton County Coroner Zach Lysek said.

Murray's death has been ruled a suicide.