Erin LaPean: Two Pennsylvania gang members get life in prison for killing woman who died protecting son

HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA: Gunmen Raymeir Haynes and Correy Evans were sentenced to life in prison in connection with a deadly 2021 shootout in Harrisburg, the District Attorney’s Office announced.

The two gang members were sentenced this week for killing a woman named Erin LaPean on her porch as she tried to protect her 6-year-old son from crossfire in a senseless gang shootout in Pennsylvania.

Two gang members sentenced to life in prison

Raymeir Haynes and Correy Evans were both sentenced by Judge Ed Marsico on Wednesday, December 20, 2023, for the shootout that killed a bystander and an innocent mother in June 2021. A third gunman named Deron Scott Jr was supposed to be sentenced also, however, it was continued, according to Yahoo! News.

Haynes was sentenced to a consecutive period ranging from 7.5 to 15 years for offenses that included first-degree murder. In addition, Haynes will be imprisoned for life without the possibility of release. Evans faces a sentence of 17.5 to 35 years for the charges of violent assault, perjury, and unlawful possession of a firearm.

Scott faces a mandatory sentence of life without the possibility of parole for the same charges as Haynes, prosecutors said.

On June 28, 2021, the cruel incident took place. Authorities claimed that the shooting was part of an increasing gang violence between Evans and Scott and was revenge for Evans firing at Scott and Haynes' girlfriend an hour earlier.

The three engaged in gunfire on the Berryhill  Street 1400 block. As onlookers took shelter, LaPean was shot in the head while defending her children. One of her children was shot in both legs.

'She gave her life to save her child’s life'

 Richard LaPean, the victim's husband told local ABC affiliate WHTM, "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,” continuing “She gave her life to save her child’s life.”

Haynes and Evans had just been sprung from custody on separate counts of robbery and severe violence at the time. Scott was a wanted man, according to the prosecution. None of the three had been allowed to own a gun.

According to the authorities, Haynes was seen driving away from the scene in a white Kia that belonged to his girlfriend.

Witnesses reported to police that they saw Scott fire from the passenger side of the car, and they saw him brandishing a gun. According to the police, they found gunshot residue inside the Kia and compared it to the repairs done after the shooting.

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.”