PITTSBURGH (Newsradio KDKA) - I know. I get it: Snitches get stitches. What a stupid code of street cred to live by. By swearing loyalty to this line of thinking then the only thing a community, a generation, or a segment of society does is harbor criminals. They condone the violence and the culture of death. Why? Because no one wants to be a rat? Maybe it is the fear of retribution. Maybe it is mistrust of the police, the judicial system, lawyers, or law. Maybe it is a belief that a lenient court will cut a killer loose without proper penalty or justice. Maybe it is a 'we take care of our own' mentality. Regardless, it is stupid. Stop with the excuses. A kid is dead. Your version of vigilante justice is obviously inadequate.
I was glad to see that the Haunted Hills Hayride in North Versailles reopened Friday night. Unfortunately, their second opening night had to include a slew of new safety protocols because the first opening night of the Fall season two weeks ago ended early due to a yet-unsolved murder.
In a Facebook post, the owners of the annual charity attraction asked patrons to 'Please be patient entering our facility as each person will be subject to a search for illegal/ prohibited items by a hired security company. Anyone found to be in possession of any of the following items will be turned over to our local law enforcement agency. Firearms, Ammunition, Knives and Weapons of any kind, Self-Defense or Restraining Devices, (e.g. pepper spray, mace, tasers, etc.), Drugs/Controlled Substances, Alcohol. Additionally, anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times. No drop-offs nor loitering is permitted at our facility.'
The social media post got 170 likes, 64 shares, and 16 comments by Saturday morning, which was, ironically, 'If You See Something, Say Something' day. #SeeSayDay! Awesome. It's trending. Life is back to normal. Yeah! One commenter urged people to leave backpacks at home because they are of no use on a hayride. Another asked about the smoking/vaping policy. One 'Viral Creator' was trolling for clicks by asking if it was ok for people with concealed carry permits to bring firearms. A few wished the family business that benefits the Autism Society well and thanked them for the extra security efforts. Other comments were 'filtered out' by big tech.
No one mentioned Steven Eason or offered any clue as to what happened during the original opening night on September 11th, from what I read. All that detectives can say is that the 15-year old Central Catholic High School student was at the hayride with companions when he saw a person, believed to be a friend or acquaintance, getting into an argument and fight with another patron near the ticket booth. Eason allegedly jumped in to try and help while the suspect pulled out a gun and fired three shots. For his efforts at peace, the teenager received fatal strikes to the chest and stomach. The other boy, an unidentified Penn Hills student, took a bullet to the shoulder and survived. NO ARRESTS HAVE BEEN MADE!! The suspect simply vanished without a trace. Poof. Gone. Ne'er to be seen again. No one is even sure if the person fled on foot or by car.
Fights believed to be related to the murder have been reported in several area high schools. However, we still do not have many details.
A grieving family in Wilmerding has begged for help. A shocked community offered an emotional balloon release. The victim's high school offered a touching eulogy and grief counselors to fellow students. Meanwhile, administrators at the Penn Hills School District, which does not encompass Wilmerding or North Versailles, know enough about the incident that it banned spectators from the following weekend's football game against Woodland Hills, citing 'unresolved feelings and emotions.'
11 miles away and 'out an abundance of caution', Clairton city and high school officials shifted its home game to Leechburg, where fans, cheerleaders, and bands were prohibited. Why? Is there something police or the public should know? The Bears prevailed anyways over the Blue Devils 48-27.
Police offer a description of the person as being black, 15-17 years old, 5-foot 9, with short hair, and a black backpack. An estimated 100 witnesses to murder and that is the best we have after 15 days. In this age of digital cameras in which everything is filmed and posted online we get crickets on this.
I guess random, deadly violence in a public setting is none of our business. No bystanders ever get killed in situations like this or the ensuing counterstrikes and drive-bys. So, fear not, John & Jane Q. Public. By its silence a large portion of the community is telling the rest of us that we need not be concerned with the cycle of death and revenge it seemingly embraces. We apparently don't have to report it. We don't need to discuss it. We don't have to read or hear about it. We don't have to be bothered with them. They have it all under control.
By their silence they are telling the rest of us that it is simply an internal (and eternal) problem that they'll eventually take care of even though this cycle has been happening for decades. By their silence they are telling us that some phantom menace suddenly appeared at the Haunted Hayride, started a fight with a teenager that was apparently only witnessed by 15-year old Stephen Eason who got killed trying to break up the melee. And, as quickly as the phantom menace pulled out a gun and fired the fatal shots, it disappeared. Is that what the dozens of witnesses to the murder of Steven Eason are telling us?
Stop with the BS. Stop the cycle of death. Quietly, discreetly call the police to help an ailing, distraught family get justice for the murder of their son who was reportedly only trying to de-escalate a toxic situation.
Kevin Battle is Co-Host of the KDKA Radio Morning Show with Larry Richert. It airs M-F 5a-9a on Pittsburgh's 100.1FM & AM1020 KDKA or on the free Audacy app. Ask your smartspeaker to: 'Play KDKA.' Thank you.
