On December 20, 2023, Judge Edward M. Marsico, Jr. sentenced Raymeir Haynes and Correy Evans, A/K/A Correy Antonio Hill, for their roles in a June 28, 2021, shootout at 1412 Berryhill Street that resulted in the death of Erin Lapean. A jury convicted both men, along with codefendant Deron Scott, Jr. on October 20, 2021. On September 21, 2023, a jury also convicted Evans of perjury for lying during grand jury proceedings when questioned about the shooting.

Judge Marsico sentenced Haynes to a term of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole and a consecutive term of 7½ to 15 years for the following offenses: first-degree murder, criminal conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, criminal attempt to commit first-degree murder, aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury, criminal conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a firearm, carrying a firearm without a license, and recklessly endangering another person. 

Judge Marsico sentenced Evans to 17½ to 35 years of imprisonment for the following offenses: aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury, unlawful possession of a firearm, and perjury. Scott’s sentencing, originally scheduled for December 20, 2023, was continued. He faces a mandatory sentence of life without the possibility of parole for the same charges as Haynes.

The charges and convictions related to the following facts. On June 28, 2021, Raymeir Haynes and Deron Scott, Jr. traveled to the 1400 block of Berryhill Street and engaged in a shootout with Correy Evans. Erin Lapean was shot in the head while protecting her children from the shots fired by Haynes and Scott. Despite her efforts, one of her children was shot in both legs. Bystanders in the vicinity all had to take cover to avoid being hurt.

At the time of the shooting, both Haynes and Evans had been recently released for prior, unrelated aggravated assault and robbery charges. Scott was a fugitive. All three men were prohibited from possessing firearms due to their criminal histories or fugitive status.

Video surveillance captured Haynes leaving the scene in a white Kia sedan registered to his girlfriend. He was holding a firearm with the slide locked to the rear. Witnesses saw Scott firing from the passenger side of the vehicle. Video analysis revealed that the Kia was undamaged moments before the shooting, but that Evans had been able to hit the Kia with his own gunfire. Haynes took the Kia to an unknown location to fix the damage before returning the vehicle to his girlfriend’s residence. Police recovered the Kia and were able to match its makeshift repairs to the damage seen on surveillance footage. Forensic investigators recovered gun shot residue from within the Kia.

Telephone records indicated that Haynes shut off his phone approximately 40 minutes prior to the murder and kept the phone off until after the shooting ended. Shortly after fixing the Kia, Haynes absconded South until he heard a rumor that someone else was taking credit for “his work.” Thinking it was safe to return, he came back to the area.

During the investigation and prosecution, witnesses were reluctant to come forward for fear of retaliation from the parties involved. Evans perjured himself repeatedly during grand jury proceedings. His perjured testimony directly contradicted other facts and a candid discussion he and Haynes had without realizing a law enforcement officer was nearby. During the discussion, both Haynes and Evans acknowledged their involvement in the incident and indicated that the Berryhill shooting was retaliation against Evans for shooting at Scott and Haynes’ girlfriend an hour prior.

Investigators also learned that the escalating violence between Evans and Scott was due to a feud between their rival gangs. Evans is a validated “All Nighter Boyz” gang member and Scott is a validated “Pop Out Gang” gang member. Both individuals had been perpetrating violent acts against the opposing gang, posting about their violence on social media, and creating videos about their feud during the months leading up to June 28, 2021.

Detective Jason Paul of the Harrisburg Bureau of Police (HPD) was the lead investigator, with many HPD members assisting. Former Senior Deputy District Attorney Kristie Falbo handled all prosecutorial aspects of the initial investigation. Detectives from the Criminal Investigation Division of the District Attorney’s Office, the Steelton Police Department, and the Lower Allen Township Police Department also provided key investigative assistance. The Dauphin County Gang Task Force, including Gang Expert JPO Bernard Rendler, was instrumental in collecting the intelligence needed to establish the gang-based feud between Evans and Scott. Senior Deputy District Attorney Erin Varley and Deputy District Attorney Colin Zwally prosecuted the cases.

Convictions in these cases would have been impossible without law enforcement’s unwavering determination to ensure justice for Erin Lapean and her family. Despite the case seemingly going stale after several months, Detective Paul took over as the lead investigator and he, along with the people and agencies mentioned above, refused to quit until prosecutors could advocate for Erin in court. The grit and resolve of everyone involved, including the Commonwealth’s witnesses, was unparalleled. It is hoped that the verdict can start to bring closure and healing to Erin’s family, children, and community.