Cops don't think estranged husband killed wife

Snellville police said Tuesday they are close to ruling out the estranged husband as a suspect in the slaying of a 25-year-old woman shot in front of her toddler son.

Steven Strube has submitted to questioning three times since Heather Strube's death on April 26, said police Capt. Harold Thomas.

"We do not believe that he did it," said Thomas.

Asked whether Strube, 25, was somehow involved, Thomas said, "We haven't ruled it out 100 percent, but I'd say we're leaning towards that he's not involved."

Thomas said he has repeatedly reviewed a surveillance videotape from the Target shopping center in Snellville where the shooting occurred. He said he is becoming increasingly convinced that the shooter, who wore a fake mustache and wig as a disguise, was a woman.

The captain also said about 10 people witnessed the shooting and the shooter was described as very small in stature.

The altercation happened moments after Heather Strube met up with her estranged husband to exchange custody of their 20-month-old son at the store. Witnesses saw the husband leave the scene shortly before the suspect walked up, police said.

The suspect and victim exchanged a few animated words, "which almost makes you think she did know who it was," said Snellville Police Chief Roy Whitehead.

The suspect shot Strube once in the head.

Tracey Dunn, a close friend and co-worker of Heather Strube at the florist shop Strube's parents own in Conyers, said police have asked the family not to comment about the case.

"The family is completely confident in the Snellville Police that they are doing what they need to do," Dunn said.

The Rev. Josh Blevins, a worship pastor at Calvary Chapel Stone Mountain, said he counseled Heather Strube and her estranged husband on several occasions beginning last year. He said Heather Strube had been a member of the church before her marriage to Steven about five years ago. She started becoming active in the church again and "building back up her relationship with the Lord," after she separated from her husband, Blevins said.