Haunted Hills Hayride To Remain Closed Following Deadly Shooting

NORTH VERSAILLES, PA — The Haunted Hills Hayride, the site where a 15-year-old teen was shot to death last weekend, reversed a previous decision and will remain closed this weekend. The popular attraction's operators made the announcement on social media late Thursday.

"After a team meeting today, it has been decided that the Haunted Hills Hayride will not be open on Friday, September 17th nor Saturday, September 18th," a post on the hayride's Facebook page stated. "We look forward to resuming our regular schedule on September 24. Again, we greatly appreciate your continued support."

The announcement came following a tribute at the hayride in which balloons were released by friends, family members and others in memory of Steven Eason. "Powerful prayers were presented, bringing about an atmosphere of pure positive energy," the Facebook post stated.

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, a Central Catholic High School student died from his wounds; the other teen, a Penn Hills High School student, was shot in the shoulder but survived the shooting.

Allegheny County police are investigating and have not yet identified a suspect.

In the incidents's aftermath, fans have been banned two WPIAL football games on Friday out of shooting-related safety concerns: The Penn Hills-Woodland Hills and Clairton-Leechburg games will be played with just the players, coaches and essential personnel in the respective stadiums.

The latter game originally was scheduled to be played in Clairton but has been moved to Leechburg.

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