Balloon Release Held For Steven Eason, The 15-Year-Old Central Catholic Student Shot And Killed At Haunted Hills Hayride
NORTH VERSAILLES, Pa. (KDKA) -- A balloon release was held to remember the 15-year-old Central Catholic High School student who was shot and killed over the weekend.
The release ceremony was held five days after Steven Eason, a sophomore at the high school, was killed at the Haunted Hills Hayride in North Versailles.
A sea of red and black balloons filled the sky as hundreds came together to remember Eason.
"He was greatness. He was our future. Now we will never know his greatness because of a senseless act of hate," Cassandra Paul, a family friend, said.
"He was just a blessing to everybody. It's not fair, it's just tragic, mindless," said Kimberly Eason, Steven's aunt.
"It's over for my nephew. He can't go to the prom, he can't graduate, he can't get married, he can't go to college. His life is done," she added.
Investigators said around 50 to 100 people were at Haunted Hills Hayride when the shooting happened between the ticket booth and red barn on Saturday night. The gunman shot Steven Eason and another 15-year-old who attends Penn Hills High School. At last check, the second victim is in critical condition.
Detectives said Steven Eason was at the hayride with a group of friends when he saw the other victim fighting with the suspect. Police said the teenager jumped in to try and help. Investigators said the suspect pulled out a handgun and fired three times, striking Steven Eason and the other victim before taking off.
"He's just heroic," Kimberly Eason said. "He's a testament for everybody of doing the right things. And I pray the right things happen to him."
Allegheny County police say they are making progress in the investigation. They are still looking for cell phone videos from Saturday. No arrests have been made.
"I hope whoever did this steps forward. The witnesses, please step forward because this could be somebody else's kid. We don't want this to keep continuing," Kimberly Eason said.
Steven's funeral is Saturday.