From left: Erin LaPean, Raymeir Haynes and Correy Evans (Victim’s photo from her obituary; mug shots from Dauphin County District Attorney’s Office)
Two gang members were sentenced this week for killing an innocent mother on her porch as she tried to shield her 6-year-old son from crossfire in a senseless gang shootout in Pennsylvania.
Raymeir Haynes and Correy Evans, aka Correy Antonio Hill, were sentenced for their roles in the shootout that killed Erin LaPean, according to a news release from the Dauphin County District Attorney’s Office.
A jury convicted both men, along with co-defendant Deron Scott, Jr., on Oct. 20, 2021. On Sept. 21, 2023, a jury also convicted Evans of perjury for lying during grand jury proceedings when questioned about the shooting.
Haynes will serve life without the possibility of parole and a consecutive term of 7½ to 15 years after his conviction for first-degree murder and criminal conspiracy to commit first-degree, among a slew of other charges. Evans will serve 17½ to 35 years for aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury, unlawful possession of a firearm, and perjury. Scott faces a mandatory sentence of life without the possibility of parole for the same charges as Haynes, prosecutors said.
It happened on June 28, 2021. It was retaliation against Evans for shooting at Scott and Haynes’ girlfriend an hour earlier, part of escalating gang violence between Evans and Scott, authorities said. The three got into a shootout in the 1400 block of Berryhill Street. A bullet hit LaPean in the head while she was protecting her children as bystanders took cover. One of her children was shot in both legs.
“My wife saved his life because if she wouldn’t have been trying to pick him up to take him in the house, that bullet would’ve hit him instead of her,” the victim’s husband, Richard LaPean, told local ABC affiliate WHTM. “She gave her life to save her child’s life.”
At the time, Haynes and Evans had just been released from custody for unrelated aggravated assault and robbery charges. Scott had been a fugitive, prosecutors said. All three had been barred from having guns.
Authorities said video surveillance captured Haynes leaving the scene in a white Kia registered to his girlfriend. He could be seen holding a gun, and witnesses told police they saw Scott firing from the passenger side of the vehicle. Police said they recovered the Kia and matched the repairs made to it after damage from the shootout and recovered gunshot residue inside.
Authorities said they tracked Haynes down when he returned to the area after he heard a rumor someone else took credit for “his work.”
Evans and Scott had been posting about their violence on social media in the months leading up to the shootout, prosecutors said.
“Convictions in these cases would have been impossible without law enforcement’s unwavering determination to ensure justice for Erin LaPean and her family,” the news release said. “The grit and resolve of everyone involved, including the Commonwealth’s witnesses, was unparalleled. It is hoped that the verdict can start Attorney’slosure and healing to Erin’s family, children, and community.”
LaPean’s obituary said she was a devoted wife and mother to four young sons, the youngest then 18 months old.
“She enjoyed video games, spending time with her children and often sat on the porch visiting with neighbors and watching the livelihood of Berry Hill Street,” the obit said. “Erin was well loved by so many in her community and was a friend to everyone. She had a heart of gold and will be sadly missed.”
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