Shooting at Halloween-themed hayride in Pennsylvania left one 15-year-old boy dead and another teen in a critical condition.
Detectives are requesting anyone who saw the shooting or who has cell phone video at the time of the shooting to contact the Allegheny County Police Homicide Unit. The department can be reached through its tip line at 1-833-ALL-TIPS (1-833-255-8477); callers can remain anonymous. pic.twitter.com/E5KRlvZPgY
— Allegheny County PD (@AlleghenyCoPD) September 13, 2021
Allegheny County Police said in a statement that they got a call around 8:15 pm Saturday regarding a shooting at the Haunted Hills Hayride, reported PEOPLE. Following the shooting in North Versailles, two 15-year-old boys were taken to a hospital. Steven Eason of Wilmerding was one of the victims who died in the shooting that took place between the red barn and the ticket booth.
Eason was a student at Central Catholic, and its principal Brother Tony Baginski said that their community was saddened by the tragic loss. The principal said that the teenager was a talented member of the track team apart from being a dedicated student, and a blessing to have at the Central Catholic. He also said that the Central Catholic community would deeply miss him, and would like to provide support to the family.
Employees told KDKA that words were exchanged and they heard at least three to four gunshots right before the shooting. Pipper Donaldson, one of the employees, said that the staff were getting ready for more people to come then they heard the gunshots and somebody came running, but didn’t say anything. After the gunshots, the employees were evacuated. They were informed about the incident only when they were ready to leave.
The suspect has been described by cops as a black teenager who was wearing dark blue cargo shorts and carrying a black backpack when the shooting took place. He is probably aged between 15 and 17, had short hair and was almost six foot tall. It is currently not known what led to the confrontation between the teenagers.
Allegheny County Police Lt. Vernando Costa thinks what happened was a terrible shame. "You come to an area where you are going to have fun and it’s, innocent people were around anybody could have been hurt. People not involved," he added.
Investigators are requesting anyone who witnessed the shooting or who took a video on phone at the time of the incident to contact the Allegheny County Police Homicide Unit.
