Haunted Hayride Slaying Prompts Crowd Ban At HS Football Game

PENN HILLS, PA — Last weekend's slaying of a teen at the Haunted Hills Hayride in North Versailles has prompted the Penn Hills School District to ban fans at its high school home football game on Friday.

The announcement was made Wednesday by Superintendent Nancy Hines, who said attendance at the Penn Hills-Woodland Hills game will be restricted to players, coaches and essential event staff. Hines cited the decision was made after consultation with the district's law enforcement contacts and violence prevention experts.

The decision came four days after Steven Eason, 15, of Wilmerding, was shot in the chest and stomach after attempting to intervene in a dispute at the hayride between an acquaintance and another teen who shot them both. Eason died from his wounds; the other teen was shot in the shoulder but survived the shooting.

Allegheny County police are continuing to investigate the incident. A suspect has not been identified.

"We have been advised that unresolved feelings and emotions about what happened last weekend in North Versailles are being further fueled by a county-level police investigation that remains open," Hines said in a statement posted on the district website.

"Beyond the obvious consideration of public safety, we believe this event restriction will give both football teams the opportunity to enjoy being kids for the night and to engage in healthy competition that is free of worries about who might be onsite during the game and for what purpose."

It's unclear why the precautions are being taken in Penn Hills, as neither the community of Wilmerding or Central Catholic High School are part of the district.

However, both Wilmerding and North Versailles are in the East Allegheny School District, where several fights broke out at East Allegheny High School Tuesday and North Versailles police were summoned to the scene.

It is not known if the incidents are related to Eason's murder, but Superintendent Alan Johnson said in a letter to parents Tuesday that three altercations occurred in the building following lunch periods. Johnson said no injuries to students, teachers or staff were reported and no weapons were involved in the fights.

"Things like this are unfortunate but happen in high schools every day," Johnson wrote. "There is a great deal of pent-up energy and emotion and, while most young people find ways to deal with that correctly and productively, some choose inappropriate releases."

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